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WWE News, Rumors, and ResultsSat, 25 May 2019 05:20:00 -0400en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.1Cody & The Young Bucks On Whether There’s Heat On PAC Over The Page/PAC Cancellationhttps://lordsofpain.net/cody-the-young-bucks-on-whether-theres-heat-on-pac-over-the-page-pac-cancellation/
https://lordsofpain.net/cody-the-young-bucks-on-whether-theres-heat-on-pac-over-the-page-pac-cancellation/#respondSat, 25 May 2019 13:00:43 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50957The Young Bucks & Cody Rhodes were part of a panel at Starrcast. During the panel, they discussed the sequence of events that led to the cancellation of Adam “Hangman” Page vs. PAC. Both Rhodes and the Bucks reiterated that there isn’t any heat on PAC over the situation. Here’s

]]>The Young Bucks & Cody Rhodes were part of a panel at Starrcast. During the panel, they discussed the sequence of events that led to the cancellation of Adam “Hangman” Page vs. PAC. Both Rhodes and the Bucks reiterated that there isn’t any heat on PAC over the situation. Here’s what they had to say:

Cody: Instead of not giving (the fans) anything, we wanted you to at least have the match and that’s why we put it out for free. I wouldn’t say that Pac is out of AEW, by any means. I also wouldn’t put any heavy stock into the amount of speculation that was around the whole thing. Our media is unregulated, so they can just say anything. It’s ongoing, we want it to work out. We mentioned the UK pay-per-view and we want Pac in AEW. I wouldn’t put stock into what you heard.

Nick Jackson: We’re close to him. We’re still talking to with him and hopefully, everything works out and he’s wrestling full-time for us.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/cody-the-young-bucks-on-whether-theres-heat-on-pac-over-the-page-pac-cancellation/feed/0Taz On Whether He’d Have Brock Lesnar On His Rosterhttps://lordsofpain.net/taz-on-whether-hed-have-brock-lesnar-on-his-roster/
https://lordsofpain.net/taz-on-whether-hed-have-brock-lesnar-on-his-roster/#commentsSat, 25 May 2019 12:00:33 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50955On the latest episode of “The Taz Show”, Taz discussed Brock Lesnar becoming Mr. Money in the Bank. While Taz enjoyed the segment itself, he revealed that if he were an active wrestler, he wouldn’t want Brock Lesnar on his roster. He are the highlights: On Lesnar’s Return At MITB:

]]>On the latest episode of “The Taz Show”, Taz discussed Brock Lesnar becoming Mr. Money in the Bank. While Taz enjoyed the segment itself, he revealed that if he were an active wrestler, he wouldn’t want Brock Lesnar on his roster. He are the highlights:

On Lesnar’s Return At MITB:

So I think the internet wrestling community, the hardcore fanbase is really pissed off about it. Really angry that Brock’s back, really pissed about the match, that he just showed up at the end and won after everything, and just basically knocked Ali off the ladder, climbed to the top and got the briefcase. Honestly, this might not be the popular thing that maybe a lot of content providers are saying, I thought it was great. Brock’s a superstar, guys. Brock is a superstar, guys. Brock is a superstars. And WWE right now needs as many superstars as possible. They need to build other stars, they do need to do that. But he’s a star. I know I’m in the minority when I put this thing over but I don’t care.

On Why He’d Be Pissed If He Was A Talent Involved In The Match:

Dude, I gotta tell you. I’m cool with Brock coming out and winning it, no problemo. I gotta tell you, as a former talent, I wouldn’t have been cool with it. If I was wrestling, I wouldn’t have been cool with it. While they did a good job shooting camera-wise all the men that were down, looking at those men down selling … as a former worker, I felt for them. I’m like, wow. These guys just busted their ass all this time in this match, had a really really really good match. And put their bodies on the line, taking all these bumps on these f***ing ladders. And one guy comes out at the very end and doesn’t have to crack a sweat and wins the gimmick. It’s heat, guys. It’s heat, and that’s what they’re going for. It’s not just heat for you guys, for the audience, and for me, and for fans. It’s heat for the locker room.

On Brock’s Schedule:

And it’s kind of like, they’re creating that [situation] where Brock is just, and I know it’s been going on for a while where he doesn’t have as many dates as the other guys. And when he was full-time, but he wasn’t really full time. He was top as Universal champ forever and didn’t really have to work. And I’ve been singing his praises as a smart businessman. And I still will. Anybody that puts a deal together as a veteran that has a limited days clause, they are a good businessman or have good representation that protects their interest as far as not having to work too many dates. That’s called good businesses. At the end of the day, that’s what professional wrestlers are – they are businessmen and woman. That’s it. You own a business, and that businesses is your body. So you have to protect that body and get as much longevity out of that body as you can. Point is, if you can get limited dates, you’re doing the right thing. I’ve always sung his praises as a businessman.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/taz-on-whether-hed-have-brock-lesnar-on-his-roster/feed/4Jim Ross On How Talent Reacted To The Curtain Call Incidenthttps://lordsofpain.net/jim-ross-on-how-talent-reacted-to-the-curtain-call-incident/
https://lordsofpain.net/jim-ross-on-how-talent-reacted-to-the-curtain-call-incident/#respondSat, 25 May 2019 10:00:43 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50953On a recent episode of “Grilling JR”, Jim Ross discussed The Curtain Call incident and more specifically, who did and didn’t care about what happened. Ross stated that while many veterans, including Pat Patterson and Jim Cornette, were very upset about what happened, Vince McMahon didn’t seem to think it

]]>On a recent episode of “Grilling JR”, Jim Ross discussed The Curtain Call incident and more specifically, who did and didn’t care about what happened. Ross stated that while many veterans, including Pat Patterson and Jim Cornette, were very upset about what happened, Vince McMahon didn’t seem to think it was that big of a deal. Here are the highlights:

On Whether Vince Cared:

Yeah, I think [that’s a fair statement]. Vince got a deluge of calls from people. Older guys and established guys in the business. Some of them weren’t even there, I don’t think. But a lot of it was, were they really outraged, those guys calling, or were they trying to ingratiate themselves to the Chairman? I always looked at it as, that’s sad, you know … I think a lot of those guys were just trying to kiss a** and ingratiate themselves. ‘Oh, I’d never do that to you, Vince.’ I can hear that conversation. ‘You’d never have to worry about me and that deal. We all of us know what the Garden means.’

On If Jim Cornette Pushed For Triple H To Be Punished:

Probably, I would think. Corny was — you talk about making an emotional investment in an issue, he made a huge emotional investment in the issue. That’s kind of his style. He can be abrasive and coarse, but he’s extremely intelligent. But he’s very passionate, and sometimes that passion can be hard to control. I would think that he would probably be one of them.

On Who Else Was Upset:

Patterson might have been one. If Bruce didn’t like something, and he didn’t by his own quotes in that regard, I’m sure Pat felt similar. But there are others. We had a lot of older agents. George “The Animal” Steele, and Jack Lanza. All those old-school guys. Tony Garea and others, who I’m sure felt the same way. Conversations I had with them were like, they’d whisper to you. ‘What’s the old man gonna do about this deal?’ I said, ‘I think he’s got it under control. He’s good, Jack. We’re alright. Move on.’

On Vince Russo Having A Different Perspective:

Absolutely fair to say. And it doesn’t make anybody necessarily right or wrong. I could understand guys like Bruce or Corny who were lifers, and they had a certain philosophy in that regard. I share many of those philosophies at the same time. But I always looked at the big picture, tried to look at the bigger picture.

On How JR Felt About The Incident:

So let’s say that Triple H made an error in judgment by going out there with his buddies. Let’s say that happened. How long do you pay that price? How long is that penalty? And I felt like he got ostracized in the locker room, he had to retrace his steps and repatch some relationships to some guys. But how many guys you really think, in the locker room, gave two s**ts about the time-honored traditions or customs or whatever? They cared about their paycheck. So I don’t know.

On The General Reaction Backstage:

I just think sometimes there’s a small pocket of people who made a big deal of the Curtain Call when a lot of people in the same company, some in the same locker room, didn’t give a s**t. It didn’t matter because it didn’t affect them and their view. And there’s certainly an argument that could be made, I admit. Like Davey [Boy Smith]’s comment, ‘They’re killing the Garden.’ They’re not killing the Garden. Are you kidding me? And things like that were brought to Vince’s attention. Vince would have kind of looked at that and said, ‘Okay, I appreciate your passion, so to speak. But it ain’t gonna kill the Garden.’ And it didn’t kill the Garden. But I thought that, to me, the fate of this thing and how this thing played out was almost like a novel. Almost like a screenplay.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/jim-ross-on-how-talent-reacted-to-the-curtain-call-incident/feed/0Eric Bischoff On How WCW Offset Costs From “Thunder” & Morehttps://lordsofpain.net/eric-bischoff-on-how-wcw-offset-costs-from-thunder-more/
https://lordsofpain.net/eric-bischoff-on-how-wcw-offset-costs-from-thunder-more/#respondSat, 25 May 2019 09:00:56 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50951During a recent episode of “83 Weeks”, Eric Bischoff discussed the issues with WCW Thunder and more specifically, the financially ramifications. Here are the highlights: On Having To Pay For WCW Thunder: I’m going to try to be judicious in how often I refer back to the AOL-Time Warner merger

]]>During a recent episode of “83 Weeks”, Eric Bischoff discussed the issues with WCW Thunder and more specifically, the financially ramifications. Here are the highlights:

On Having To Pay For WCW Thunder:

I’m going to try to be judicious in how often I refer back to the AOL-Time Warner merger and re-budgeting after budgets had been approved, but it’s hard to not talk about those things because it had such a dramatic impact on so many different levels. It was a combination of things. First of all, it was Thunder. We’ve touched on this in previous shows. But when Ted Turner mandated Thunder, he left it up to everybody else to come up with a way to pay for it. It was a very expensive show to produce. It was a live show, it was on the road, you had to bring in more talent, all the things we’ve talked about before. Typically, TBS would pay for that show. The network that was carrying it would offset the production, at least the expense of it. Not that they would pay us a license fee with a margin built in so that there was profit-building for it, but the idea should have been that TBS, who was going to be getting the show and presumably the advertising that went along with it, should have stepped up to offset to cost of production so it didn’t come out of WCW’s budget. That’s not what happened.

On Having To Increase House Shows To Offset The Cost:

In WCW’s case, we went from being the redheaded stepchild to all of a sudden, we’re the golden child of Turner Broadcasting. Ted Turner’s calling me up every Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 to congratulate me. Right? Everything we touch is working and people are actually proud of WCW. Now we’re back to being the redheaded stepchildren again. And Ted Turner said, ‘Eric, go produce Thunder.’ And Bill Burch [AOL Time-Warner executive] says, ‘Eric, I’m not paying for it. It’s not coming out of my budget. You figure it out.’ Well how did I figure it out? We tried to increase our revenues in order to offset the expense that we were forced to eat. Ted wanted it, nobody else wanted to pay for it, I had no choice but to do it, we had to pay for it. So what did we do? We couldn’t increase any more PPVs. I couldn’t add another month to the calendar year. We weren’t going to do two PPVs in one month, that didn’t make sense to me at the time. We were having a difficult enough time delivering decent PPVs once a month. The only thing we could do is increase house shows to increase revenue to help offset the cost of Thunder. We didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want to do that. A lot of our top guys had limits in their contracts that kept them out of the schedule that unfortunately some other guys had and those people that didn’t have limits in their agreements or had more dates that they owed us in their agreements, they worked their guts out.

On How It Affected The Product:

I think the grind, it obviously affects the talent. And so often, especially in WCW, finishes, the way matches were laid out, were subpar for the level of competition we were trying to achieve. Very very subpar, I might add. WCW never had a history, before I got there, while I was there as an announcer, while I was there running the company and subsequent to me leaving, WCW never ever was known for great finishes. Occasionally there would be a match or two that would stand out over the course of the year but I think if you look but I think if you look at some of the reporting from whose ever dirt sheet you wanted to believe in, you know I think the one consistent thing, and I would agree with it, is that our finishes sucked. Especially now as I go back and look at it. […] The agents were also on the receiving end of that. And I think people were just mentally and physically shot. And we didn’t have deep bench anyway when it came to agents and people who had great experience or even decent experience in laying out finishes so oftentimes, it was the talent themselves that were doing it. And it shows.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/eric-bischoff-on-how-wcw-offset-costs-from-thunder-more/feed/0Bret Hart Speaks On Getting Kicked In The Head By Goldberghttps://lordsofpain.net/bret-hart-speaks-on-getting-kicked-in-the-head-by-goldberg/
https://lordsofpain.net/bret-hart-speaks-on-getting-kicked-in-the-head-by-goldberg/#commentsSat, 25 May 2019 06:00:00 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50963During a speech at a neuroscience symposium at the Greater Ohio Convention Center, Bret Hart spoke on getting kicked in the head by Goldberg and the aftermath. Here are the highlights: On What He Said To Goldberg Pre-Match: One of the last things I said to Bill before I walked

ELP grounds and toys with Narita at the top. Narita shows no intimidation going right for ELP, but ELP gets him in a bow and arrow, Narita drops down to a cover for 1. ELP grounds Narita in the corner and shows good aggression to a chorus of jeers. Narita gets hung in the tree of woe and ELP steps on his crotch. Cover, but only 2. Hard kicks by ELP get another 2. ELP pops up on the ropes with wrist control and walks ¾ of the way across the ring, then does some great rope work but Narita gets an overhead suplex and covers for 2! Nice pop for Narita, who keeps the pressure on and hits a tackle and follows with a beautiful vertical suplex, cover but only 2. German by Narita is blocked, ELP fires off kicks and covers but still only gets 2. CR2 is called for but Narita gets a cradle and a good 2, backslide by Narita gets another 2 and a GORGEOUS German suplex gets another 2! ELP hits a GREAT superkick, covers but Narita is still alive at 2. CR2 is blocked again and Narita looks for the Boston Crab and gets ELP over! ELP looks for the ropes but Narita pulls him back, ELP gets a thumb to the eye and a cradle for 2. Cutthroat tornado neckbreaker connects, ELP climbs, Narita tries to roll away but ELP covers the distance with the big splash and gets the 3 count.

This was a solid opening match with ELP continuing to show some more spark and sharpness on the heels of his great showing against Ospreay. Narita is also continuing to impress more and more with each outing, which made this an engaging and fired up way to start the day. Good work.

After the match, ELP hits CR2 just for good measure to a chorus of boos. He also continues throwing fans’ non-BC hats away into the crowd. He takes the mic at commentary and says, “Undefeated bitches.” I am liking heel ELP.

TAKA MICHINOKU vs TITAN

Chants for Titan. They look for quickness and TAKA hits a knee that dumps Titan, TAKA teases the dive but doesnt go for it. Back inside and TAKA asks for chops, and Titan obliges, but TAKA pokes the eyes. Nice rocking horse transition by TAKA, then goes for a deathlock, grabs the arms and gets a submission/pin combo for 2, and then transitions into a bow and arrow. Loving the ZSJ influence. Titan gets a quick cover but TAKA escapes and hits a dropkick that sends Titan outside, where TAKA follows and keeps the pressure on. Back inside and TAKA stays on him, gets a fujiwara variation locked in but Titan makes the ropes. Corner high knee by TAKA connects but Titan gets the thru the ropes clothesline and a spring crossbody, running rana dumps TAKA and Titan hits a nice tope con hilo to wipe out TAKA. Back inside and Titan goes for the cover, but only gets 2. TAKA blocks a running rana and looks for Just Facelock, but Titan gets the ropes. Mid-rope moonsault by TAKA misses but he gets a magistral variation for 2 and goes back to the Just Facelock. Titan makes the ropes again to break. TAKA counters a rollup attempt into Just Facelock, pulls Titan back to center and wrenches. Chants for Titan, who is able to get the ropes again. Michinoku Driver is blocked, superkick by Titan but a heel kick from TAKA, Driver is countered again and Titan hoists TAKA into a Samoan Driver into an awkward pin and gets the 3, I guess?

This was going along fine, but that finish seemed like a total miscommunication and as a result really deflated the ending, taking away from the match arc for me. Titan is impressive in many ways, but every once in a while some sloppiness comes through, and thats what this ending felt like. A decent outing, a shame about the finish.

ROBBIE EAGLES vs BUSHI

BUSHI hits a middle rope missile dropkick to dump Eagles before the bell, and follows right away with a suicide dive. Belt whip by BUSHI on the outside, he throws Eagles back inside but Eagles is able to clip the knee and hit a running elbow shot to the back of the head for a cover but only gets 1. Eagles keeps on the leg to set up the Ron Miller Special, covers but only 2. More knee work from Eagles keeps BUSHI grounded. Nice DDT by BUSHI drops Eagles. The shirt comes off and BUSHI gets the choke, Eagles eats an enziguri and a kneeling DDT for 2. Fisherman neckbreaker is blocked, BUSHI gets a dropkick to the back and looks for the apron DDT, Eagles fights back and gets a kick to the back of BUSHI’s head to dump him, and follows with a suicide cannonball to wipe out BUSHI. Eagles sends BUSHI back inside, doesnt quite get all of the spring dropkick to the knee but gets enough, BUSHI fights back but Eagles gets Turbo Backpack but doesnt hit it hard enough so it only gets 2, and Eagles transitions to the Ron Miller Special. BUSHI gets the ropes to break. Corner double knees combo in the corner connects by Eagles, he lines BUSHI up and climbs but misses the 450 to the leg, and BUSHI gets a rope hung Codebreaker and Fisherman Neckbreaker, covers but only gets 2. MX connects hard, BUSHI covers and picks up a nice WIN.

This was a good match, and I too am surprised (given Kevin Kelly’s comment on headset) that BUSHI took the W here over Eagles, who has been showing a TON in this tourney appearance. A good showing from BUSHI though, with tight work all around.

JONATHAN GRESHAM vs TIGER MASK IV

They go technical to begin with Tiger outwrestling Gresham at the top, keeping wrist control and grounding Gresham repeatedly. Nice counter wrestling, with Gresham getting a headscissors, and we get a faceoff and a handshake on the ground. More counter and blocking work, and we get another standoff. We get a criss cross, Tiger gets the advantage and lays in kicks. Tiger keeps Gresham grounded, but Gresham makes it to the ropes. More kicks by Tiger keeps Gresham from building any speed or momentum. Gresham looks to kick the arm but Tiger counters, more counter work but Gresham gets a nice dropkick to drop Tiger. Gresham starts getting some speed and shoulder blocks in the corner to take the advantage, but Gresham is holding his ribs and fighting for breath. The Cobra Twist is locked in but Tiger powers out and hits a knee to the ribs, grounds Gresham and gets an arm-trap fujiwara, Gresham fights and makes the ropes. Gresham drops weight to block the Tiger Driver, but Tiger hoists him and lays in a knee instead (dang), and hits a kick and covers for 2. They both hit the ropes and both collide with crossbodies, and both are down. Wheelbarrow snapmare by Gresham, they trade holds and GRESHAM GETS A SURPRISE ROLLUP ON TIGER AND PULLS OUT THE 3! Gresham is overjoyed and Tiger is SHOCKED.

While I would have loved to see more action from these two, I am SO ABOUT Gresham pulling out a HUGE win over the legend. Gresham is so fucking good at what he does, and while this match didnt showcase as much of it we’ve seen some great stuff from him in this tournament already and just the victory over Tiger Mask in itself is gigantic for him, and I couldnt be happier. GO GRESHAM GO!

After the match, Gresham extends the hand, and Tiger takes some time but ultimately shakes it.

DOUKI vs YOH

DOUKI strikes before the bell dumping Yoh and follows with a quick suicide dive. Yoh is sent into the corner post and DOUKI beats down Yoh at ringside, then brings him into the crowd more for carnage, slamming him headfirst into the East wall. Chants for DOUKI, which is interesting. DOUKI now sends Yoh back inside, and chokes Yoh with his own jacket. Chants for Yoh now. DOUKI stomps the mudhole and chokes Yoh in the corner. Slam and running double stomp by DOUKI connects, cover but only 2. Yoh looks for a dropkick to the knee but DOUKI evades, but Yoh is able to snatch a dragon screw instead. Yoh fires up and hits a corkscrew forearm and kips up. Big neckbreaker by Yoh gets 2. Another dragon screw by Yoh, DOUKI blocks a figure four and gets Yoh in a Gory Special but Yoh escapes and gets the Calf Crusher, but DOUKI gets the ropes. Series of dropkicks to the knee by Yoh. DOUKI with a nice escape, but Yoh blocks the slingshot DDT and HITS THE FALCON ARROW! Cover, but only 2! NO ONE KICKS OUT OF THE FALCON ARROW! (#ExcaliburPWG) Yoh looks for the Dragon Suplex, DOUKI counters into a rollup for 2 and transitions into his wristclutch double foot choke, and Yoh starts fading. The crowd gets behind Yoh, who is able to make the ropes to break. UGLY slingshot DDT connects from DOUKI, cover but only 2. DOUKI looks for Suplex De La Luna but Yoh gets a rollup for 2, and goes back to a full nelson, DOUKI breaks it but Yoh gets a bridging German for 2 and Yoh is frustrated and fired up. They each look for their finishes, Yoh hits an enziguri but gets decapitated by a lariat, DOUKI covers but only gets 2. Suplex De La Luna is attempted again, Yoh fights out and gets a rebound superkick and lands the Dragon Suplex, bridges and thats the 3!

This was a fun and fiery match, and while one might criticize DOUKI’s usual Suzuki-Gun tactics, it actually got the crowd super fired up for the top of the match and that energy carried all the way through the end, so I think it ended up serving the story of this match well overall. Yoh continues to show what he is capable of, and I cant even imagine what he’s going to be bringing in just a couple years more.

MARTY SCURLL vs SHO

Marty is looking a bit battered with his head wrapped, but then gets an umbrella shot before the bell and takes the bandage off, then hits a bridging powerbomb for 2 right off the bat. Sho gets behind him and hits a kitchen sink and kick to the back and gets a 2, then transitions into the armbar. Marty stacks Sho up for 2, Sho goes right back to the arm, Marty with great counter work but Sho gets the back elbow knockdown. More arm work by Sho, Marty gets on the apron and gets a draped neckbreaker over the middle rope. Hangmans neckbreaker by Marty follows, cover but only 2. Marty keeps on Sho with aggression and chops him high in the throat, then gets a seated superkick. Headscissors by Marty grounds Sho, but Sho makes the ropes to break. Bottom rope decapitator by Marty connects, cover for 2. Marty keeps control and gets a cravate with knee strikes, Sho with a nice escape but Marty dumps him and gets the apron superkick. Sho asks for more, and Marty hits another one and Sho still wont go down and asks for more! The third one gets caught, Sho gets on the apron and they trade shots. The crowd is into it. Sho gets back in the ring, sits Marty on the apron and hits a running low dropkick, then gets on the apron and lands a PK. Back inside Sho gets a backstabber and looks for the cross armbreaker again, Marty tries to keep the arm from going straight but Sho gets it extended, Marty struggles and gets the rope (with a bit of help from Brody King).

Marty blocks a German from Sho, Sho kicks the arms and gets two Germans, looks for a third but Marty counters and gets a hard half nelson suplex but Sho fires back with a release German and both are down. Shots from Sho, big shot from Marty who looks for Black Plague but Sho fires back and hits a Lumbar Check and covers but only gets 2. Sho is firing up, looks for Shock Arrow but Marty drops weight and counters into the pumphandle neckbreaker and covers but only gets 2. Marty with a corner shot and tornado DDT, rolls it through and looks for the Chickenwing Crossface. Sho looks to block it and does and gets a cross-armed piledriver (but not with a package), covers and gets 2. Marty blocks Project Ciampa by going to Sho’s cauliflowered ear and gets a cradle but only gets 2. Big knee from Sho, Marty responds with a lariat and calls for another one, hitting it hard. Cover, but still 2. Split crowd chants. Marty looks for the finger snap and gets it, looks for another lariat but Sho hits one of his own, and another one. Project Ciampa connects, cover but only 2 for Sho. Shock Arrow connects fully, Sho covers and thats the 3 and a HUGE win for Sho!

I enjoyed the hell out of this – it didnt overstay its welcome but it was chock full of action, of story and of great character from both Marty and Sho. Sho picking up a big win over a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight champ is also a nice one for his tournament life as well as his singles junior career, which like his partner Yoh seems to have a very bright future ahead of it. Marty played his part to perfection, and Sho delivered the goods as well. Really well done.

ROCKY ROMERO vs RYUSUKE TAGUCHI

Another one with a TON of fun-potential. Rocky is out in basketball gear to compete with Taguchi’s rugby gear. Taguchi gives Rocky the opportunity to shoot a basket into his arms and Rocky clocks him in the head with the ball instead, dumping Taguchi over the top and to the floor! I LOVE IT. Rocky follows up right away though and gets the basketball back, then hits a crossbody to the outside while holding the ball. Because sure why not? AHHH THESE TWO! We now get the bell and Rocky throws Taguchi back inside. Rocky starts targeting the hips of Taguchi to take out one of his big weapons, Rocky gets whipped but hands in the ropes so Taguchi hits a hip attack to dump him outside and follows with a nice tope con giro to wipe Rocky out. Chants for Taguchi. Back inside and Rocky hits chops, and follows with machine-gun chops in the corner. Taguchi with a snapmare and hip attacks to answer, and hits machine-gun hip attacks (or something!), and Rocky fires up after. More corner chops from Rocky and he takes control of Taguchi. Forever Clotheslines are called for, he gets one but Taguchi hits a hip attack, and they trade corner to corner, tiring out after each one until they both call timeouts. Taguchi asks for more and they collide lariats to hip attacks, Taguchi gets an inverted atomic drop but Rocky reverses a hip attack into an atomic drop, they both fire up and instead both drop in exhaustion. God these two are wonderful.

Shots traded, Rocky moves to evade a hip attack and Taguchi crashes and burns hard. Rewind kick is evaded and Taguchi looks for the ankle lock, pulling Rocky away from the ropes but Rocky escapes and looks for Shiranui, its blocked but Rocky gets a running rana instead. Spring tornado DDT connects from Rocky, cover but Taguchi is out at 2. Kicks from Rocky who then looks to work the arm, hitting that classic kneedrop to the arm off the corner. Rocky keeps on him but Taguchi looks to counter, fires off shots but Rocky catches him off the ropes for the cross armbreaker, Taguchi looks to stack Rocky but Rocky transitions to a triangle hold. Taguchi tries to power Rocky up but cant so Rocky looks for the armbar again but Taguchi makes the ropes. Strikes by Rocky who looks for Shiranui again, Taguchi counters again, looks for Dodon but Rocky gets a rollup for 2, Taguchi gets a rollup for 2, Rocky tries another one but Taguchi keeps rolling into another cover and snatches the 3 count out of nowhere!

This was a good and fun match between two of my favorite tourney competitors this year, and I only wish they had a little more time to work some of their magic both in terms of competition and comedy. But they did a fine job with what they did, keeping everyone engaged and entertained while Taguchi picks up another 2 points. I’d love to see Rocky go further, but I understand the choice as well, and this had me smiling the whole time.

After the match, Taguchi offers the bump to Rocky, and the crowd chants for it. Rocky gives the bump, as the coaches share respect and pose! Love this.

YOSHINOBU KANEMARU vs TAIJI ISHIMORI

YK attacks before the bell because OF COURSE HE DOES. Taiji gets his corner evasion, YK evades Bombs Away and counters the handspring enziguri with a dropkick and brings Taiji into the crowd, sending Taiji into the East Wall and looking to take the countout again like he did on Day 7 against Sho. Taiji is able to evade a chair getting thrown and makes it back inside in time. Nice quick sequence from both as Taiji gets the LeBell Lock, but YK gets the ropes to break. BIG seated double knees from Taiji connects, he follows with the tombstone Codebreaker, covers but YK is out at 2. Taiji still favors the neck for a moment but looks for Bloody Cross, YK grabs the ref to break and throws the ref into Taiji, hits an enziguri and a DDT to put Taiji down but the ref is also out. YK grabs the whiskey bottle, takes a swig, Taiji tries to cut it off and takes the bottle as well but the ref sees it, takes it away so YK is able to spit his whiskey into Taiji’s eyes to blind him and gets a cradle and the sneaky 3 count to steal the WIN!

Not much of a match here in general, but I can kind of get with it as it throws off Taiji’s momentum as a block leader, adds to YK being a spoiler heel given Day 7 as well, while also protecting Taiji’s neck aa bit and giving him time to recover by keeping the match short. It did what it did as it needed to do it.

BANDIDO vs WILL OSPREAY

If I’m honest, I’m expecting/hoping for a lot from this one. HUGE response for Bandido! Bandido extends the handshake, and Will tentatively accepts. Will seems ready for Bandido to fire off at any time, and they feel each other out to start. They go to the mat to begin and quickly stand off again. Now big chants for Will. The crowd is HYPED for this one, and its barely started. The chants for Bandido come back and seems to get in Will’s head a bit. They run the ropes and Will gets a HUGE elevation with a monkey flip and does the dive feint, then hits a baseball dropkick and pescado to wipe out Bandido at ringside. Back inside and Will keeps on Bandido, gets a HARD chop in the ropes and Bandido just DROPS. Will has hard hands. Will chants. Bandido shows his power getting a ONE HANDED GORILLA PRESS, slams Will down and gets a basement dropkick and a cover for 2. Drop toe hold by Bandido and he works the legs of Will, getting him up in a NO HANDS ROMERO SPECIAL, then adds a chinlock but its too close to the ropes and Will uses his free hands to get the break. BIG shots traded, Will hits a gorgeous handspring enziguri and both are down. This crowd is INSANE for this match already. Top rope 619 by Will connects, he follows with Pip Pip Cheerio and covers but only 2, and Will follows with a Last Chancery but Bandido makes the ropes. Reverse Bloody Sunday is blocked and Bandido meets Will at the ropes with a SHARP dropkick to the face. Bandido with a reverse suplex and a Shining Wizard, cover but only 2.

Shots traded, Will gets the backflip enziguri, Bandido looks for a rana, Will holds on for a bomb but Bandido turns it into a poison rana and Will bails. Spring shooting star press from Bandido wipes out Will and carries both of them into the crowd! Bandido sends Will back in and hits a West Coast Pop, but Will is out at 2, Bandido looks for a suplex but Will counters into a stunner and both are down. Jesus this match. They go head to head, shots traded, flurry from Will but a SICK superkick from Bandido, Bandido looks for a snap rana into a pin but Will rolls it through to cover and gets 2 and goes back to the Last Chancery! Will transitions and hits a high angle Liger Bomb, covers but still only gets 2. Os-Cutter is blocked, Will hits the ropes and Bandido catches him into a moonsault slam and gets 2! Bandido looks for the 21-Plex but Will holds the ropes to block it, fights out but Bandido hoists Will and lands the West Knee! 21-Plex is attempted again but WILL LANDS ON HIS FEET! HOLY SHIT WHAT A GREAT MOMENT. The crowd erupts. Standing Spanish Fly from Will connects, cover but still only 2! Will climbs but Bandido cuts it off, they trade shots in the corner, Bandido gets Will and HITS THE AVALANCHE MOONSAULT SLAM! Cover, but Will gets the ropes to break the count! Chants for Will! Bandido hoists Will but Will fights out, eats a Bandido superkick but catches Bandido’s moonsault, turns Bandido around and transitions BRILLIANTLY into Stormbreaker! Cover, and that finally keeps Bandido down for 3!

Will Ospreay defeats Bandido by pinfall via StormbreakerJAY’S RATING: 4.75 out of 5

THIS WAS FUCKING INCREDIBLE. The crowd knew this was going to be something special going in, as they were electric before the first move was thrown. But not only did they meet those expectations, they FED OFF OF THEM, and then blew them out of the water. This was something truly special, and one of the best efforts from both of these talents full stop end of story. Bandido is a fucking superstar, and has his whole career still ahead of him which is INSANE when you think about it. This dude is simply unbelievable – his ring presence, his execution, his psychology, his storytelling, its just so beyond beyond. And match him with someone who is equally consistent and brilliant in those arenas like Will Ospreay, and MAGIC HAPPENS. Drop everything and watch this match. Hell, at least so far, if you have to watch one single match of the tournament so far, make it this one. I literally cannot fathom any other match, even to come, getting close to this one as Match of the BOSJ. The bar has been set. Brilliant work on every level.

After the match, respect shown between Will and Bandido and the crowd goes NUTS for Bandido, who once again proves that he is a FUCKING. STAR.

SHINGO TAKAGI vs DRAGON LEE

I do not envy these two having to follow the semi-Main. Juice even mentions how they are going to have to work hard to follow that crowd energy – but if anyone can come close at least, I think its Shingo. Lee extends the hand, Shingo thinks about it, takes the hand but holds it hard and they start right from there, and they go to the mat to start. Shingo shows his power advantage but Lee shows the speed and agility, and we get a nice sequence into a standoff. The crowd is getting into it. Tackle by Shingo drops Lee but Lee pops up, gets a running rana to dump Shingo, Shingo evades a dive, Lee lands on his feet but Shingo hoists him and drops him on the apron and DDTs him on the floor to take control. Back inside and Shingo gets an over the top stomp onto Lee. Shingo keeps the pressure on, Lee looks to fight back but Shingo drops him with a double chop and senton, covers for 2 and then keeps Lee grounded with a body scissors until Lee gets the ropes. BIG vertical suplex by Shingo gets 2. Chants for Lee now as the crowd is again split. Shots traded, Shingo blocks a move and lays in knees, looks for the lariat but Lee gets an STO to stop the momentum. Shingo gets put on the apron and Lee gets a kick to the head, tries the rana off the apron but Shingo holds on and almost gets a powerbomb, Lee escapes and gets a knee strike and tries an apron piledriver but Shingo powers Lee up and gets a DVD on the apron instead! Back inside and Shingo hits a vicious sliding lariat, covers but gets 2. Chants for Lee.

Shingo catches a kick and hits a corner clothesline and a flurry, talks shit but Lee follows into the other corner with a running dropkick and lays in strikes. Lee beats Shingo down and hits a hesitation dropkick. They go head to head, Lee asks for shots and they trade, Shingo just absorbs them and fires off his own but Lee gets a nice high knee strike, Shingo gets a lariat in the ropes but Lee gets one too that dumps Shingo and then hits a DANGEROUS SUICIDE DIVE that puts them both a few rows deep into the crowd! That was a fucking MISSILE. Both are wiped out as Red Shoes checks on them, and says he’s going to start the count which he does. Lee sends Shingo back inside at 15, looks for a dragon suplex but Shingo powers through the full nelson, but Lee gets a straightjacket German with a bridge but only gets 2. PK is blocked by Shingo but Lee hits a superkick, Shingo fires back with the straight right hand and a short lariat to drop Lee. Slam by Shingo who climbs but Lee cuts it off and hangs Shingo in the Tree, looks for the double stomp, Shingo tries to fight back but Lee connects with it, and follows with a BIG PK in tribute to Shibata and covers but only gets 2! Chants for Takagi.

Desnucadora is blocked, Lee runs the ropes but Shingo gets a pop up into a waterwheel slam instead of the DVD, but hits it damned well. Knee strike by Lee, but Shingo fires back with Noshigami, lines Lee up and hits an explosive Pumping Bomber! Cover, but Lee is out at 2! Shingo looks for Last of the Dragon but Lee gets a rollup for 2. Noshigami attempted again but Lee counters into a rollup for 2, and then hits a Boma Ye-style knee strike and both are down. Chants for Lee. Another knee strike is blocked and Shingo lands a headbutt but Lee comes back with a GREAT SEQUENCE – snap German, knee strike, poison rana, and another knee strike – and covers but SHINGO KICKS OUT AT 1! FIGHTING SPIRIT! Lee hits ANOTHER knee strike and covers but STILL only gets 2! Desnucadora is blocked again, and Shingo is able to turn it into Last of the Dragon! Cover and Shingo has pinned the IWGP Junior Champ!

Shingo Takagi defeats Dragon Lee by pinfall via Last of the DragonJAY’S RATING: 4.5 out of 5

Well that came DAMN CLOSE to matching the Semi-Main, and Shingo Takagi further establishes himself as The One To Watch in this tournament in my opinion, and is definitely my pick to at minimum make the finals this year if not take the whole thing. Lee also delivered a HELL of a match here, and he and Shingo brought out some truly incredible action out of each other. This win also puts Shingo in line for a title shot regardless of the tournament, and I would LOVE to see Shingo and Lee go at it with the extra stakes of a title match feeding the story, because I think that layer could elevate this quickly to even higher heights. Lee has a ton of heart and it showed well here, but it wasnt enough to overcome the experience and sheer FEROCITY of Shingo Takagi. Fucking awesome work.

After the match, Shingo gets a mic and talks about how he got caught in the jaw, and that Lee wasnt messing around. He says Lee is only 24? He’s a beast. But, the guy to take the main event is the TRUE Japanese dragon. Yesterday Scurll, today Lee, and he’s 5 and 0, so maybe we’re seeing what the main event could look like of the tournament. He’s been doing this for 15 years but has never main evented Sumo Hall, but made his debut in Sumo Hall, so now he’s looking to come full circle to main event there. The other block is great, but there’s no beating him. He says the only guy who can win the tournament is Shingo, and so the path of the dragon shall continue, and he will keep breathing fire. You can see Shingo’s experience here with how comfortable he is on the mic, which only makes me MORE excited about his potential in NJPW. I think he is poised to be a major heavyweight contender, and sooner rather than later. And I CANT WAIT.

JAY’S RATING:

A good day overall, but HOLY FUCK those last two matches. Both of them were total home runs, and have set the standard for the rest of the tourney moving forward. Bandido emerges as an even bigger burgeoning star than he already has been, and Shingo Takagi is, well, SHINGO MF’N TAKAGI. The rankings after Day 8:

Callihan starts things off with a Running Pump Kick. Callihan is lighting up Bahh’s chest in the corner. Bahh drops Callihan with a Running Crossbody Block. Bahh follows that with a Body Avalanche. Bahh delivers clubbing bodyshots. Bahh tosses Callihan across the ring. Callihan kicks Bahh in the gut. Callihan with a running clothesline. Bahh bodyslams Callihan. Bahh with a Spinning HeadButt for a two count. Callihan bites the right foot of Bahh. Callihan with a Running Forearm Smash. Bahh responds with a shoulder tackle. Callihan heads to the outside. Bahh has complete control of the match. Bahh stomps on the right hand of Callihan. Bahh with clubbing blows to Callihan’s back. Callihan rakes the eyes of Bahh. Knife Edge Chop Exchange on the floor.

Bahh rolls Callihan back into the ring. Callihan with a SpringBoard Clothesline. Bahh gets back in the ring at the count of nine. Callihan starts biting the left foot of Bahh. Callihan and Bahh are trading back and forth shots. Callihan applies a rear chin lock. Callihan pulls Bahh down to the mat. Callihan plays to the crowd. Callihan goes back to the rear chin lock. Bahh gets back to a vertical base. Callihan slaps Bahh in the back. Bahh is pissed. Bahh walks into chops from Callihan. Callihan with a Pump Kick. NO, NO, NO! Bahh with Two Palm Strikes. Bahh follows that with a Side Belly to Belly Suplex.

Bahh with a Side Slam for a two count. Bahh drags Callihan to the corner. Callihan avoids The Banzai Drop. Callihan thrust kicks the left knee of Bahh. Callihan drops Bahh with a Pump Knee Strike. Bahh hits The Samoan Drop. Bahh prepares for The Banzai Drop. oVe starts running interference. Callihan knocks Bahh off the second rope. Bordeaux gets into a brawl with The Crist Brothers. Jake inadvertenyl SuperKicks Dave. Bordeaux with a Flying Crossbody Block off the ring apron. Bahh PowerSlams Callihan for a two count. Bahh lands The Suicide Dive. Bahh rolls Callihan back into the ring. Callihan brutally kicks Bahh in the head. Callihan plants Bahh with The Draping Cactus Special to pickup the victory. After the match, Callihan spits at Bordeaux.

Rayne chases Valkyrie around the ringside area. Rayne Spears Valkyrie. Rayne transitions into a ground and pound attack. Rayne ducks a clothesline from Valkyrie. Rayne with a chop/forearm combination. Rayne drops Valkyrie with a Step Up Enzuigiri for a two count. Rayne punches Valkyrie in the chest. Rayne bounces Valkyrie’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Rayne with a forearm smash. Rayne kicks Valkyrie in the gut. Valkyrie whips Rayne back first across the turnbuckles. Rayne decks Valkyrie with a back elbow smash. Rayne with a Flying Crossbody Block for a two count. Rayne applies a waist lock. Rayne hits The Cutter for a two count. Valkyrie takes a rest bit on the outside. Valkyrie avoids the baseball slide dropkick. Valkyrie attacks the left hamstring of Rayne.

Valkyrie rolls Rayne back into the ring. Valkyrie applies a leg lock. Valkyrie bends the left ankle of Rayne. Valkyrie is toying around Rayne. Valkyrie with the cover for a two count. Forearm Exchange. Valkyrie slams the left knee of Rayne on the canvas. Rayne with a Big Boot. Valkyrie responds with a forearm smash. Rayne is displaying her fighting spirit. Rayne goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Valkyrie blocks it. Valkyrie taunts the Philly crowd. Valkyrie applies a single leg boston crab. Valkyrie continues to add more damage to left hamstring of Rayne. Valkyrie with a Spinning Uranage Slam for a two count. Valkyrie talks smack to Rayne. Rayne side steps Valkyrie into the turnbuckles. Rayne drops Valkyrie with The Tornado DDT for a two count.

Rayne with rapid fire forearms. The referee is trying to calm down Rayne. Valkyrie with a timely leg sweep. Rayne rolls Valkyrie over for a two count. Rayne applies a single leg boston crab. Valkyrie crawls to the bottom rope to create separation. Rayne ducks a clothesline from Valkyrie. Valkyrie thrust kicks the midsection of Rayne. Valkyrie drills Rayne with a High Knee Strike. Rayne negates The Road To Valhalla. Rayne goes for The Reverse DDT, but Valkyrie blocks it. Valkyrie plants Rayne with The Road To Valhalla to pickup the victory. After the match, Rosemary walks down to the ring Su Yung. Rosemary has her eyes set on the Knockouts Championship.

Winner: Still IMPACT Knockouts Champion, Taya Valkyrie via Pinfall

– The Rascalz continues their training for their upcoming tag team title match with LAX.

– We get a video package of The Deaners eating at Pat’s King Of Steaks.

Third Match: LAX (c) w/Konnan vs. The North For The IMPACT Tag Team Championship

Santana and Josh Alexander will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Santana backs Alexander into the turnbuckles. Santana applies an arm-bar. The referee calls for a clean break. Alexander delivers a cheap shot. Alexander goes for a Bodyslam, but Santana lands back on his feet. Santana ducks a clothesline from Alexander. Santana tags in Ortiz. Ortiz rolls Alexander over for a two count. Ortiz with a front dropkick. Double Snap Mare TakeOver from LAX. Santana drops Page with a Basement Knee Strike. Ortiz follows that with a Senton Splash. Santana with a MoonSault off Ortiz back. Santana flexes his muscles. Page trips Ortiz from the outside. Page catches Santana in mid-air. Page dumps Santana back first on the ring apron. Alexander with a Running Crossbody Block. Page stares down Konnan. Ortiz thrust kicks the midsection of Alexander. Ortiz with two forearm shivers. Alexander responds with a Death Valley Driver. Alexander tags in Page.

Page with a Flying Elbow Drop off the second rope for a two count. Page rams his boot across the face of Ortiz. Page with a straight right hand. The North are cutting the ring in half. Alexander repeatedly stomps on Ortiz chest. Alexander taunts Santana. Ortiz unloads three knife edge chops. Page in running interference. Assisted DDT for a two count. Alexander tags in Page. Ortiz needs to create separation. Page applies a rear chin lock. Ortiz gets back to a vertical base. Ortiz decks Page with a JawBreaker. Ortiz drops Page with a NeckBreaker. Alexander knocks Santana off the ring apron. Ortiz thrust kicks the midsection of Page. Ortiz is throwing forearms at Page. Page applies a side headlock. Ortiz PowerSlams Page. Santana and Alexander are tagged in. Santana with a Running Boot to Page. Santana side steps Alexander into the turnbuckles. Santana with The Running Knee. Santana follows that with a Wrecking Ball Dropkick. Santana with a sunset flip for a two count.

Santana with a SitOut FaceBuster. Page goes for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Santana lands back on his feet. Page blocks a boot from Santana. Stereo Enzuigiri’s. Sunset Flip/High Knee Strike Combination for a two count. Alexander negates The Double Reverse Suplex. Alexander with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Page follows that with a Reverse Side Walk Slam. Alexander with a Flying Knee Drop for a two count. Ortiz trips Page from the outside. Ortiz tags himself in. Alexander with a Tornado PowerBomb. Page with a Running Forearm Smash to Ortiz. The North pulls Ortiz off the top turnbuckle. The North hits The Double Neutralizer for a two count. Alexander argues with the referee. Page dumps Santana out of the ring. Alexander gets Ortiz in the torture rack position. Santana sends Page tumbling to the floor. Santana SuperKicks Page. Ortiz rolls Alexander over for a two count. Alexander drops Ortiz with a forearm smash. Standing Switch Exchange. Santana with a Rolling Cutter. Ortiz with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Santana SuperKicks Alexander. LAX plants Alexander with The Double Reverse Suplex to pickup the victory.

Winner: Still IMPACT Tag Team Champions, LAX via Pinfall

Fourth Match: The Disco Inferno vs. Ashley Vox

Discos asks Vox if she got fired from hooters? Which wrestler is Vox dating? Disco continues his sexist campaign. Disco attacks Vox before the bell rings. Was Vox on Match.com? Disco bounces Vox’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Disco with a side headlock takeover. Disco is surprised that he hasn’t got the this is awesome chants. Disco wants to apologize to the boys in the back. While it’s not a five star match, it’s not his fault. Disco punches Vox in the throat. Disco with a Hip Toss.

Disco continues to run his mouth. Vox rolls Disco over for a two count. Disco calls the referee a moron. Vox with a drop toe hold. Vox follows that with two dropkicks. Vox goes for a Missile Dropkick, but Disco blocks it. Disco connects with The Chart Buster for a two count. Oh my god she kicked out of his finish. Disco gets Vox in position for another Chart Buster. Tessa Blanchard storms into the ring. Blanchard tells Disco to bring it. Disco heads to the backstage area like the coward he is.

Raju knocks Xavier off the ring apron before the bell rings. Raju with a right hand to Austin. Williams rolls Raju over for a one count. Raju applies a waist lock. Austin with a SpringBoard Enzuigiri. Williams hits The SlingShot CodeBreaker. Williams with a leaping forearm smash. Williams follows that with a Running Bulldog on top of Raju. Williams signals for The Canadian Destroyer. Austin SuperKicks Williams. Williams with a double leg takedown. Austin responds with a drop toe hold. Austin attacks Williams fingers. Xavier with a Hurricanrana. Raju delivers his combination offense. Xavier fires back with his lighting quick offense. Xavier drops Raju with a Cutter. Xavier lands The Suicide Dive. Williams with a SlingShot Hurricanrana on the floor.

Austin hits The Space Fly Tiger Drop. Austin slips over Xavier’s back. Austin with a forearm smash. Austin kicks Raju in the chest. Austin follows that with a Spinning Heel Kick. Austin with rapid fire corner clotheslines. Austin puts Raju on the top turnbuckle. Austin shows off his athleticism. Austin blasts Williams with The PK. Raju negates The Top Rope FrankenSteiner. Williams hits The Canadian Destroyer. Williams PowerBombs Xavier. Williams goes for another Canadian Destroyer, but Raju counters with a Flying Double Foot Stomp. Raju with a Running Cannonball Strike. Xavier side steps Raju into the turnbuckles. Xavier with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Xavier delivers The Back HandSpring Back Flip Kick to pickup the victory.

Winner: Dezmond Xavier via Pinfall

– Next week on Impact Wrestling, it will be Johnny Impact & Michael Elgin taking on Rich Swann & Willie Mack. Also we’ll have Eddie Edwards/Killer Kross in a Street Fight and Tessa Blanchard vs. The Disco Inferno.

Dueling chants after the bell rings. RVD and Dreamer shakes hands. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. RVD applies a side headlock. RVD lunges over Dreamer’s back. RVD rolls Dreamer over for a one count. That leads us to standoff in the center of the ring. Dreamer applies a waist lock. Dreamer with a Vertical Suplex. RVD gives Dreamer a standing ovation. The feeling out process continues. Back to the collar and elbow tie up. Standing Switch Exchange. Dreamer with a headscissors neck lock. RVD goes for a Leg Drop, but Dreamer ducks out of the way. RVD ducks a clothesline from Dreamer. Dreamer dodges The Spinning Heel Kick. Fight forever chants from the philly faithful.

Dreamer with a schoolboy rollup for a two count. Dreamer decks RVD with a back elbow smash. Dreamer unloads a flurry of left jabs. Dreamer goes for The Bionic Elbow, but RVD blocks it. RVD SuperKicks Dreamer. RVD goes for a Running Crossbody Block, but Dreamer ducks out of the way. Dreamer spits water into the eyes of RVD. Dreamer blasts RVD with a plastic water bottle. Dreamer rolls RVD back into the ring. RVD with a basement dropkick. RVD with a SlingShot Leg Drop. RVD grabs a steel chair. RVD delivers The Running Van Terminator. RVD rams his shoulders into the midsection of Dreamer. Dreamer reverses out of the irish whip from RVD. Dreamer gets RVD tied in the tree of woe.

Chair lated Basement Dropkick. Dreamer goes for a DDT, but RVD counters with a Back Heel Trip. RVD puts the chair on Dreamer’s chest. RVD goes for Rolling Thunder, but Dreamer ducks out of the way. Dreamer hits The DDT on the chair for a two count. Dreamer goes for a PileDriver, but RVD counters with a Double Leg TakeDown. RVD with a Leg Drop. RVD plays to the crowd. Dreamer connects with The PileDriver for a two count. Dreamer drags RVD to the corner. Dreamer goes for a Flying Elbow Drop, but RVD ducks out of the way. RVD drop toe holds Dreamer into the steel chair. RVD lands The Five Star Frog Splash to pickup the victory.

After the match, The North and Moose attacks RVD and Dreamer from behind. Sabu storms into the ring to make the save. Sabu and RVD clears the ring to close the show.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/impact-wrestling-results-5-24-19/feed/4Tony Khan On If AEW Is Competing With WWE, All In’s Success Leading To AEWhttps://lordsofpain.net/tony-khan-on-if-aew-is-competing-with-wwe-all-ins-success-leading-to-aew/
https://lordsofpain.net/tony-khan-on-if-aew-is-competing-with-wwe-all-ins-success-leading-to-aew/#commentsSat, 25 May 2019 04:00:35 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50949Tony Khan was recently interviewed in advance of Double or Nothing. During the interview, he discussed if he considers AEW to be competition to the WWE as well as how “All In” led to the formation of AEW. Here are the highlights: On Competing With The WWE: No, no, no!

]]>Tony Khan was recently interviewed in advance of Double or Nothing. During the interview, he discussed if he considers AEW to be competition to the WWE as well as how “All In” led to the formation of AEW. Here are the highlights:

On Competing With The WWE:

No, no, no! And I told you last year when I was first thinking of doing this that there’s a great business case for this. And I laid it out, and you’re the perfect person to make the case to because you are somebody who grew up loving wrestling. And you hadn’t watched much wrestling for a little while. Occasionally you would go out and check in, but you were what I would call a lapsed wrestling fan, effectively … What AEW’s got, we’ve got the best wrestlers in the world, the best in-ring performers. But we don’t have until now, a platform where anybody besides WWE which has really, really great distribution in a lot of places. Now we’re getting distribution in places all over the world where we’re getting, you know, as good or better distribution in many of the biggest markets. So when you say like, taking on, I don’t see it like that because I just want more wrestling for everybody. I think that the more wrestling people watch, the better. And I don’t try and discourage people from watching wrestling, and we don’t discourage people from wearing other wrestling company’s shirts to our shows for that matter.

Cody Rhodes, the young Bucks had never done a show on television as a group, as a wrestling promotion. Yet they were able to draw over 11,000 people to a show they did in suburban Chicago just on basically viral promotion and word of mouth, and through the love of wrestling that they spread. The kind of people that came to their show were some of the most rabid, passionate fans you’ll ever see. And it was a really, really exciting experience. I was there and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. When they became available to work for somebody else, I was there with a business case, with a business plan, and an idea that we could produce a show that was going to be available weekly. And that we could recreate what was a better time to be a wrestling fan in many ways.”

Double or Nothing’s going to be, in my opinion, one of the greatest PPCs in wrestling history. And I know something about it in that I’m very familiar with what we’re planning for Double or Nothing, and I’ve seen every PPV in wrestling history. [laughs] We’ve got some great announcements still about the card to build interest … there’s gonna be some surprises.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/tony-khan-on-if-aew-is-competing-with-wwe-all-ins-success-leading-to-aew/feed/2Jim Ross On If He Believes Dean Ambrose Will Sign With AEWhttps://lordsofpain.net/jim-ross-on-if-he-believes-dean-ambrose-will-sign-with-aew/
https://lordsofpain.net/jim-ross-on-if-he-believes-dean-ambrose-will-sign-with-aew/#commentsSat, 25 May 2019 02:00:21 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50967Jim Ross was a recent guest on ESPN’s 1530 No Holds Barred Radio. During the appearance, he was asked if Jon Moxley, better known as Dean Ambrose in the WWE, would sign with AEW. Here are the highlights: On If AEW Should Try To Compete With WWE: I’m a big

]]>Jim Ross was a recent guest on ESPN’s 1530 No Holds Barred Radio. During the appearance, he was asked if Jon Moxley, better known as Dean Ambrose in the WWE, would sign with AEW. Here are the highlights:

On If AEW Should Try To Compete With WWE:

I’m a big football guy, love football… all levels, all brands. But there’s no way in hell, as much as I’d like to see the XFL do really well… they’ll do well and they can make a lot of money, and never put a dent in the Nation Football League. So anybody who doesn’t like NFL, and thinks this new league is going to get after these guys and give us an alternative… we’ll watch them instead of the NFL… no you won’t. You’re going to watch the NFL if you’re a football fan. So I believe that’s were we are with this thing (AEW). No one is going to move the needle negatively, or positively for WWE. That’s their deal. We can’t affect change to their brand. Why would we waste any time on somebody else’s brand, when we got all we can say grace over building ours?

On If Dean Ambrose Will Join AEW:

I think it could happen for sure, and I think he’s a high priority for any company. Whether it be AEW, or WWE retaining him, or him going ROH or anywhere else. John’s a very talented kid. Where ever he’s going to go, he’s going to be a big player. John Moxley is a pro wrestling star, no matter the jersey that he’s wearing. I just hope somewhere down the road. If all the cards fall where they should, I’ll be calling his matches as well.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/jim-ross-on-if-he-believes-dean-ambrose-will-sign-with-aew/feed/12Drew McIntyre On The One Thing He Harasses Triple H To Allow Him To Dohttps://lordsofpain.net/drew-mcintyre-on-the-one-thing-he-harasses-triple-h-to-allow-him-to-do/
https://lordsofpain.net/drew-mcintyre-on-the-one-thing-he-harasses-triple-h-to-allow-him-to-do/#commentsSat, 25 May 2019 00:00:13 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50941Drew McIntyre was recently interviewed by “TalkSport”. During the interview, the topic of NXT UK came up. McIntyre revealed that he is dying to make an appearance for the brand, so much so that he consistently harasses Triple H about it. Here’s what McIntyre had to say: I don’t just

]]>Drew McIntyre was recently interviewed by “TalkSport”. During the interview, the topic of NXT UK came up. McIntyre revealed that he is dying to make an appearance for the brand, so much so that he consistently harasses Triple H about it. Here’s what McIntyre had to say:

I don’t just think about it, I harass Triple H. We fit into the schedule, I’ll be there someday. I’m gonna call him out on this: Let me go to NXT UK, just for a day, a few hours. I never sleep. I do this all the time. I might as well fly in and do a show and fly back.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/drew-mcintyre-on-the-one-thing-he-harasses-triple-h-to-allow-him-to-do/feed/3Luchasaurus talks AEW Double or Nothing Match, Lucha Underground, ROH, morehttps://lordsofpain.net/luchasaurus-talks-aew-double-or-nothing-match-lucha-underground-roh-more/
https://lordsofpain.net/luchasaurus-talks-aew-double-or-nothing-match-lucha-underground-roh-more/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 23:48:02 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50938Show: Interactive Wrestling Radio Guest: Luchasaurus Date: 05/23/19 Your Host: James Walsh Join us as we welcome “Vibora”, the Luchasaurus who has been a lot of places including WWE NXT as Judas Devlin, Lucha Underground as Vibora of the Reptile Tribe, Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling as Luchasaurus, and

Join us as we welcome “Vibora”, the Luchasaurus who has been a lot of places including WWE NXT as Judas Devlin, Lucha Underground as Vibora of the Reptile Tribe, Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling as Luchasaurus, and a man who will be part of the Casino Battle Royal at AEW Double or Nothing as he looks to show who he is and what he can do on a national if not international scale and hopes to get signed to All Elite Wrestling!

AEW Double or Nothing takes place on Saturday night, THIS Saturday night, May 25th live on pay per view from the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV! The only way to watch is on PPV and via various streaming platforms.

To listen, please visit www.WrestlingEpicenter.com. There you will find our catalog of 644 prior interviews all available in MP3 format free of charge. If you’d like to helpkeep us going free of charge, check out our store and, as they say in the original Zelda, buy somethin’, will ya?

LUCHASAURUS:

On taking part in the AEW Double or Nothing Casino Battle Royal:
“I’m really excited to be there. It is a huge event in wrestling. All eyes are going to be on it. I, honestly, have been preparing for a moment like this for the past few years to show everyone who I am and what I am about. I know AEW is going to be really good about letting everybody shine and show what they can do. Right now, I’m not really nervous yet. I might get nervous on the day. But, right now, I’m excited about showing everybody what I’ve been practicing for so long and what I’m capable of doing.”

On the unique Casino Battle Royal concept:
“I like it because I think it is going to open it up to allow us each to have some spotlight on us. Battle royals and rumbles, a lot of times the ring fills up real quick. So, 5 people at a time I think is part of the rules this year. I don’t know everyone who is going to be in it yet. I’m so excited to try some things that haven’t been seen before.”

On his hopes for AEW:
“Obviously, I’m hopeful it pans out to be something that can rival WWE. I think everyone is hoping for that – Some legitimate competition on American television. I remember watching WCW and WWE when I was a kid. Then, for 10 years, there was no competition. When I went and signed with WWE in 2012, I really felt it was WWE or bust and there was no wrestling outside of it. That is just the way it felt at the time. Then, this whole indie boom happened to where you could make a living outside of WWE. And now, this (AEW) happening… It is just a matter of everyone coming together and doing what WCW couldn’t do, I guess – Sustain a product that has some substance to it and has appeal to those outside of the wrestling community. I think this can cross over to the general public as well.”

On appealing to non-wrestling fans:
“I think it is about creating new characters. That is what I hope to contribute… Me and Jungle Boy have been working together and we filmed a little segment that aired on Being the Elite. That is a new dynamic that I think could bring in a lot of new fans and appeal to kids, teens, and people that don’t know wrestling that well.”

On reports he is signed to Ring of Honor:
“No, that isn’t true. I did do a tryout with them – I guess you could call it a tryout. They had the Future of Honor match in Vegas last September. I guess it went pretty well. They started bringing me in and had me working their shows. I had a good relationship with them and I still do. We never really talked about a contract fully. So, we’re kind of just seeing how it goes. My character doesn’t really fit into their storylines right now so they are kind of using me here ad there. And, I’m happy that we haven’t talked about a contract because I’ve had a few opportunities with Impact and now AEW is giving me the shot at Double or Nothing. That (AEW) is kind of my focus. That (AEW) is kind of the place that I’d like to be most.”

On the audience naming Luchasaurus despite the character being called Vibora in Lucha Underground:
“Yeah! The funny thing about that was I was really nervous. I hadn’t wrestled in about 2, 2 and a half years. I had left WWE, I had went and done a reality show (Big Brother), I was injured. I kind of went in as a tryout with Lucha Underground. I didn’t even want to go because I didn’t think I was ready. But, they said, “Hey, we have a character that we think you would be perfect for. Do you want to do it?” I was like, ‘All right, lets do it!” I was very nervous in the ring. I heard the crowd chanting something but I couldn’t tell what it was. I thought they were chanting, “You Just Started” like they thought I was bad… Like, they could tell I am a big guy who can’t work or wrestle. So, I go to the back and I said, “That sucked!” Everyone was like, “No! That was great! They were saying Luchasaurus!” I was like, “Oh, that’s cool! Maybe I could take that and try it on the indies, see what I could do with it.” At that point, I thought Lucha Underground was going to be a lot more sustained with shows season after season. I didn’t think it would go away like it has. So, then, it (Luchasaurus) kind of took on a life of its own and I began to add in my personal interests and things that I like as a person. It started to connect with people. If you don’t see it, you almost can’t get it until you see it.”

On his education:
“I talked about the fact that I have a masters degree on Being the Elite. The character itself is absurd but the fact that I have a masters degree is even more absurd. But, it is true! I have a masters degree in History. I specialize in 12th century European History. I did my thesis on 12th Century Romance Literature in Germany, France, and England. I started wrestling while I was finishing my masters program. I wanted to finish that before I totally committed to wrestling. It is funny because as soon as I was done with the degree, I got swept up by WWE. I never really got to do the indies like I wanted to. So, I went right from college to being in WWE. It was very dramatic life change there. But, that is part of the character. I consider myself an existential dinosaur. We’re going to get into that more on Being the Elite.”

On being murdered/killed off on Lucha Underground Season 4:
“Well, it wasn’t supposed to happen. What had happened is I had a match I was really happy with against Johnny (Impact) Mundo. It was kind of the culmination of everything I was working towards for 2 years between season tapings. Then, the next night I do a run in, freak accident, I tear my bicep getting clotheslined out of the ring. So, they had to cover. So, they killed me off. They were going to bring the character back if there was another season. But, it was really disappointing to be killed off right when I felt I was at the height of my career with Lucha Underground. But, it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise because my entire style in the ring changed after that and I started to incorporate what I do now which is more martial arts and I’ve become known for a lot of the kicks that I do. It has kind of set me apart a little bit. It is one of the reasons AEW is interested. I couldn’t really train the way that I had been training. So, I started kicking, learning the drills until I perfected it. It just opened up new pathways in the ring for me.”

On the injury that ended his WWE run and almost ended his wrestling career:
“Most of the time I was in (WWE) developmental, I was struggling with some pretty severe hip pain. You don’t want to say anything because you would risk losing your spot because there is so much competition down there. So, towards the end, I had a falling out with the coaches and I was ready to leave anyway. I got it checked out. It turned out I had a torn hip labral but also I had torn my abdominal muscles on both sides. So, they had to reconstruct that area, shave down my femur, fix the whole socket. There was a lot of arthritis in there. After a year, there was still a lot of pain. I was still training. But, I wasn’t wrestling. The doctors said, “You might want to consider retiring because you might have arthritis the rest of your life and you may have to have a hip replacement.” At that point, I had the opportunity to do the reality show and get out of my (WWE) contract. I did that. After that was over, I started to go back and did my own research. After I fiinished all that, I went back and started to rehab my hip with my own research. I was able to fully fix my hip. The hip is totally medically cleared. There is no problem. Right now, I’m probably more healthy than I was in WWE Developmental 8 years ago which is crazy.”

On what he learned from WWE Developmental that he still uses:
“How to navigate political waters a little better, maybe. (laughs) It is funny. Everything I was doing back then, I don’t do any of it anymore. I learned some things about timing. There was a lot of veterans that you could learn from and talk. But, it wasn’t until I stopped learning wrestling and started to just be me with a character I created that I kind of found myself. So, after I learned all the basics of wrestling and you learn all that really quickly in developmental, you have to get to the next level and you have to figure that out on your own. That is why you see, a lot of times in NXT, most of the guys that are successful are from the indies and a lot of the guys that are home grown have a hard time finding themselves because it is really hard, when you’re being cut out of a factory, to do that.”

On if there will be a Lucha Underground Season 5:
“For the most part, everyone has given up hope that there is going to be another season. If people ask for their release, they are releasing them from their contracts. I was only contracted through Season 4. I don’t think I would be a part of it if it did happen because I’ve moved on to other things. I don’t expect it. But, you never can say never in this business.”

On his final thoughts heading into AEW Double or Nothing:
“Luchasaurus is going to show the world that life finds a way.”

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/luchasaurus-talks-aew-double-or-nothing-match-lucha-underground-roh-more/feed/0Cedric Alexander Says He’s the Champion of WWE Main Eventhttps://lordsofpain.net/cedric-alexander-says-hes-the-champion-of-wwe-main-event/
https://lordsofpain.net/cedric-alexander-says-hes-the-champion-of-wwe-main-event/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 23:40:13 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50936Cedric Alexander took to Twitter today to declare himself the champion of WWE Main Event. He wrote, “I’m just going to go ahead and declare myself @WWE #MainEvent Champion Ok? Ok cool” Beginning with the first week of May, Alexander has wrestled three Main Event matches since coming to RAW

Beginning with the first week of May, Alexander has wrestled three Main Event matches since coming to RAW from 205 Live in the 2019 Superstar Shakeup. He defeated Cesaro to begin the month, and then has picked up two wins over EC3, most recently with this week’s Main Event episode.

You can see Cedric’s full tweet below along with replies from Mike Kanellis, TJP and Jack Gallagher:

– A new episode of WWE Ride Along will premiere on the WWE Network after Monday’s RAW goes off the air. The episode will feature Lana and Rusev in one car, and Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose in the other. Below is the synopsis for the thirty-minute episode:

“Lana and Rusev compete to prove who is No. 1, while Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville satisfy their sweet cravings en route to SmackDown Live!”

– As seen below, WWE Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor took to Twitter today and posted a photo of a ringside pre-show meeting he had with Triple H. He wrote, “A picture is worth a 1000 words …”

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/wwe-series-returning-on-monday-finn-balor-tweets-photo-with-triple-h-wwe-nxt-uk-highlights/feed/3Bray Wyatt Apologizes To Chris Jericho, Says He’s Still Waiting To Hear From Seth Rollins and Roman Reignshttps://lordsofpain.net/bray-wyatt-apologizes-to-chris-jericho-still-waiting-to-here-from-seth-rollins-and-roman-reigns/
https://lordsofpain.net/bray-wyatt-apologizes-to-chris-jericho-still-waiting-to-here-from-seth-rollins-and-roman-reigns/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 22:59:04 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50929Since his return to WWE television, Bray Wyatt has been reaching out on Twitter to superstars he feuded with over the years…some to forgive, and some to ask forgiveness. He began with Randy Orton, then shifted to all three members of the Shield. Now he’s reached out to AEW superstar

]]>Since his return to WWE television, Bray Wyatt has been reaching out on Twitter to superstars he feuded with over the years…some to forgive, and some to ask forgiveness. He began with Randy Orton, then shifted to all three members of the Shield. Now he’s reached out to AEW superstar Chris Jericho, and reminds Y2J of their battles back in NXT.

I want to apologize formally to @IAmJericho for the strife I once put him and his family through. And thank him for the memories. Lest we forget that it was a match between him and my old body that put NXT in the limelight! Yowie Wowie!! What do ya say maaaan? Friends forever?

Wyatt would follow up by asking Jericho if he’s seen Roman Reigns or Universal champion Seth Rollins, who he still hasn’t heard back from.

I want to apologize formally to @IAmJericho for the strife I once put him and his family through. And thank him for the memories🐍. Lest we forget that it was a match between him and my old body that put NXT in the limelight! Yowie Wowie!!

]]>– WWE posted this video of young fans doing Superstar impersonations during a commercial break at this week’s WWE RAW. Sarah Schreiber led the contest with a Lacey Evans impersonation getting the win.

– WWE stock was down 1.00% today, closing at $75.87 per share. Today’s high was $77.64 and the low was $75.55.

– Mandy Rose made the cover of the latest edition of Muscle & Fitness Hers magazine. She posted the cover on Twitter, as seen below.

Rose wrote, “Blessed and honored to be on the cover of this months @muscleandfitnesshers Mag! Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen!”

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/wwe-star-on-muscle-fitness-hers-cover-photo-video-of-wwe-fans-impersonating-superstars-wwe-stock/feed/4ROH World Title Match Added To “State Of The Art” Event In Washingtonhttps://lordsofpain.net/roh-world-title-match-added-to-state-of-the-art-event-in-washington/
https://lordsofpain.net/roh-world-title-match-added-to-state-of-the-art-event-in-washington/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 20:19:18 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50915Ring of Honor has revealed several matches for their June 1st event in Kent, Washington as part of their State of the Art tour. World champion Matt Taven will defend the title against Lifeblood’s Tracy Williams, joining the previously announced matchup of Colt Cabana and Mark Briscoe for the NWA National championship.

]]>Ring of Honor has revealed several matches for their June 1st event in Kent, Washington as part of their State of the Art tour. World champion Matt Taven will defend the title against Lifeblood’s Tracy Williams, joining the previously announced matchup of Colt Cabana and Mark Briscoe for the NWA National championship. Full announced card so far:

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/roh-world-title-match-added-to-state-of-the-art-event-in-washington/feed/0WWE Stars Present Scholarships to Full Sail University Students, Triple H Commentshttps://lordsofpain.net/wwe-stars-present-scholarships-to-full-sail-university-students-triple-h-comments/
https://lordsofpain.net/wwe-stars-present-scholarships-to-full-sail-university-students-triple-h-comments/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 20:06:53 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50909WWE has once again awarded scholarships to students at Full Sail University. Ricochet and Alexa Bliss were on hand at the 10th annual Full Sail Hall of Fame Ceremony and the 40th Anniversary celebration of Full Sail as a University to present the checks. WWE awarded four $10,000 scholarships at

]]>WWE has once again awarded scholarships to students at Full Sail University.

Ricochet and Alexa Bliss were on hand at the 10th annual Full Sail Hall of Fame Ceremony and the 40th Anniversary celebration of Full Sail as a University to present the checks. WWE awarded four $10,000 scholarships at the event.

WWE has now awarded 22 scholarships to Full Sail students for a total of $400,000 since May 2012. Triple H marked the occasion on Twitter.

He wrote, “One of the things I’m most proud of the @WWENXT partnership with @FullSail is the ability to give back to students. Thank you to @AlexaBliss_WWE and @KingRicochet for representing @WWE and honoring these truly-deserving students!”

Below is WWE’s full announcement on the scholarships along with Triple H’s tweet:

WWE awards scholarships to Full Sail University students

WWE is pleased to announce it has awarded four $10,000 scholarships at the 10th Annual Hall of Fame Ceremony and the 40th Anniversary celebration of Full Sail as a University. Here are the recipients of the scholarships:

* Alyssa Caples, a Show Production student from Middlebury, Ind.

* Brennan Montry, a Film and Entertainment Business student from Haslett, Mich.

WWE has now awarded 22 scholarships to Full Sail University students, for a total of $400,000 since WWE’s partnership with Full Sail began in May 2012. These scholarships are applied toward the recipient’s areas of study within the university.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/wwe-stars-present-scholarships-to-full-sail-university-students-triple-h-comments/feed/0Second Generation Indie Talent Training at the WWE Performance Centerhttps://lordsofpain.net/second-generation-indie-talent-training-at-the-wwe-performance-center/
https://lordsofpain.net/second-generation-indie-talent-training-at-the-wwe-performance-center/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 19:58:20 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50904New Jersey indie wrestler Karissa Rivera is training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week, according to Casey of Squared Circle Sirens. Rivera, a second generation talent, participated in a WWE tryout back in December 2018, and before that faced Lacey Evans on WWE NXT TV in a

]]>New Jersey indie wrestler Karissa Rivera is training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week, according to Casey of Squared Circle Sirens.

Rivera, a second generation talent, participated in a WWE tryout back in December 2018, and before that faced Lacey Evans on WWE NXT TV in a losing effort. She also accompanied NXT North American Champion The Velveteen Dream to the arena for a segment.

Rivera appeared on the April 9 WWE SmackDown episode, teaming with Kristen Stadtlander as The Brooklyn Belles. They lost to WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics. Rivera also made her Women of Honor debut for ROH recently and appeared in a Knockouts Battle for Impact Wrestling.

SQC also reports that Rivera recently tried out for the upcoming WWE Superstar Search reality competition, which is being produced by Bunim-Murray.

Karissa trains under Damian Adams, who tweeted this shot of her at recent Impact TV tapings:

]]>– WWE posted this video of Ember Moon and The Revival eating insects and shooting arrows at the Bear Grylls Adventure theme park in Birmingham, England while on tour with WWE recently:

– WWE NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm vs. Nina Samuels has been announced for next Wednesday’s NXT UK episode on the WWE Network, which will also feature Jack Gallagher vs. Kassius Ohno. On a related note, Travis Banks has defeated Joseph Conners to qualify for the Fatal 4 Way that will crown a new #1 contender to WWE UK Champion WALTER in two weeks. The match will feature Banks, Jordan Devlin, Joe Coffey and Dave Mastiff.

– Below is a first look at the new WWE Universe mobile game, which is being billed as the most authentic WWE mobile game there is. You can pre-register for the game at the link below until May 27:

]]>– Below is new video of AJ Styles introducing the WWE Championship Collection of collectible figures from Hero Collector. The comprehensive collection of 16-page magazines come with a polyresin 1/16 scale Superstar statue that stands 4.5-6 inches tall. They currently retail for $7.99 and subscribers will receive a free gift of a 1/16 scale WWE ring styled display plinth. Full details on the sets are available at this link. They have sets for AJ Styles, John Cena, Charlotte Flair, The Undertaker, Braun Strowman, The Rock, WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins, WWE Intercontinental Champion “Demon King” Finn Balor and Sasha Banks.

– Paul Heyman took to Twitter to issue a warning to WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, his challenger Dolph Ziggler and WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins, on behalf of Money In the Bank briefcase holder Brock Lesnar.

Heyman wrote, “Memo to @WWERollins and / or @TrueKofi (or perhaps even @HEELZiggler): Good Evening Gentlemen. My client and I have been considering all options. Here’s the one thing that’s absolutely positively GUARANTEED: @BrockLesnar is in control. That’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler!”

Lesnar is scheduled to be on Monday’s RAW to reveal who he will cash in on, but it’s believed that he will use his title shot for a rematch against Rollins at WWE Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia on June 7.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/paul-heyman-sends-message-to-wwe-champions-new-wwe-collectible-sets-revealed-video-elijah-burke/feed/1Top RAW Star Missing Upcoming Episodes, WWE Using the Wild Card Rule at Live Eventshttps://lordsofpain.net/top-raw-star-missing-upcoming-episodes-wwe-using-the-wild-card-rule-at-live-events/
https://lordsofpain.net/top-raw-star-missing-upcoming-episodes-wwe-using-the-wild-card-rule-at-live-events/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 17:33:09 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50899The WWE Wild Card Rule will be used on non-televised WWE live events moving forward. RAW Superstar Dew McIntyre has been advertised for several upcoming SmackDown live events. He is currently scheduled to miss the June 3 RAW in Corpus Christie, Texas and the June 10 RAW in Reno, Nevada.

]]>The WWE Wild Card Rule will be used on non-televised WWE live events moving forward.

RAW Superstar Dew McIntyre has been advertised for several upcoming SmackDown live events. He is currently scheduled to miss the June 3 RAW in Corpus Christie, Texas and the June 10 RAW in Reno, Nevada.

The June 3 RAW is the final episode before WWE Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia. McIntyre has not been announced for a match on that show as of this writing, but he could work the 50-Man Battle Royal or get involved with the Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon match.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/top-raw-star-missing-upcoming-episodes-wwe-using-the-wild-card-rule-at-live-events/feed/6The Young Bucks on Possibly Competing with WWE for Tuesday Nights, The Undertaker, AEW Creative Teamhttps://lordsofpain.net/the-young-bucks-on-possibly-competing-with-wwe-for-tuesday-nights-the-undertaker-aew-creative-team/
https://lordsofpain.net/the-young-bucks-on-possibly-competing-with-wwe-for-tuesday-nights-the-undertaker-aew-creative-team/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 17:28:00 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50894The Young Bucks, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson, recently spoke with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated to promote Saturday’s AEW Double Or Nothing event. The brothers just learned in the interview that WWE is planning on running a studio show on FS1 on Tuesday nights, which would compete with AEW’s

]]>The Young Bucks, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson, recently spoke with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated to promote Saturday’s AEW Double Or Nothing event. The brothers just learned in the interview that WWE is planning on running a studio show on FS1 on Tuesday nights, which would compete with AEW’s TNT show on Tuesday nights.

Matt responded, “It’s exciting to know that so many fans who may not have seen or even heard about us now have the opportunity to do so. TNT will shine a spotlight on so many talented wrestlers who look, feel and sound so different than what casual fans might be used to. I didn’t know any other wrestling organization was planning on airing opposite of us until this interview, so that’s news to me.”

“I love it. That’s exactly what wrestling needs right now, competition. They’ve been so comfortable for the last two decades that they need something like this. This only helps the whole landscape of wrestling,” Nick added.

Barrasso asked about the AEW “work place” with Tony Khan, Brandi Rhodes, Cody Rhodes and Kenny Omega, and Matt responded with a look at the AEW creative team, which seems to be a group effort.

“The creative team is essentially a group chat that goes 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Matt said. “Some people in the group think a bit more traditionally, while others think super outside the box. We always come to some sort of agreement, somewhere in the middle. It’s a recipe that works. The process has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.”

Nick added, “So far, it’s been pretty good. We all are fantastic at separate things and, when we come together, it all meshes well.”

The Bucks also commented on The Undertaker, who was pulled from the Starrcast II convention this weekend due to WWE feeling like the event is associated with AEW. Barrasso jokingly asked if The Dead Man was scared of an impromptu Superkick Party.

“I’m not sure I could reach the Undertaker for a superkick,” Matt said.

“I was actually very sad to see him taken off,” Nick added. “Fans would’ve loved to meet him in Vegas.”

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/the-young-bucks-on-possibly-competing-with-wwe-for-tuesday-nights-the-undertaker-aew-creative-team/feed/13Tag Team Gauntlet Announced For ROH “State Of The Art” In Portlandhttps://lordsofpain.net/tag-team-gauntlet-announced-for-roh-state-of-the-art-in-portland/
https://lordsofpain.net/tag-team-gauntlet-announced-for-roh-state-of-the-art-in-portland/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 17:06:39 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50895Ring of Honor issued the following press release announcing a number one contenders tag team gauntlet match for the June 2nd event in Portland entitled, State of the Art. Check out the teams competing, including one “improbable pairing,” below. A future shot at the ROH World Tag Team Titles will be

]]>Ring of Honor issued the following press release announcing a number one contenders tag team gauntlet match for the June 2nd event in Portland entitled, State of the Art. Check out the teams competing, including one “improbable pairing,” below.

A future shot at the ROH World Tag Team Titles will be up for grabs when five teams — including one improbable pairing — compete in a gauntlet match at State of the Art in Portland,
Ore., on June 2.

In addition to The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser and Brawler Milonas), The Kingdom (TK O’Ryan and Vinny Marseglia), Coast 2 Coast (Shaheem Ali and LSG) and the team of ROH World Television Champion Shane Taylor and Silas Young, ROH officials have put together a wild-card team to make the match even more compelling.

The wild-card entry brings together two competitors who certainly have no love lost between them — RUSH and Dalton Castle!

Ever since losing to RUSH in 16 seconds at G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden last month, Castle has been a loose cannon. The former ROH World Champion attacked The Boys on two occasions and cast them aside, and he also has turned his back on the fans. Castle has been taunting RUSH as well.

Could the combustible duo manage to work together long enough to win the gauntlet match and earn a tag team title shot? Perhaps Taylor and Young will prevail, giving Taylor an opportunity to become a double champion. Or will one of ROH’s established tag teams come out on top?

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/tag-team-gauntlet-announced-for-roh-state-of-the-art-in-portland/feed/0Tommaso Ciampa Misses “Goldie”, Update on His Training (Photo)https://lordsofpain.net/tommaso-ciampa-misses-goldie-update-on-his-training-photo/
https://lordsofpain.net/tommaso-ciampa-misses-goldie-update-on-his-training-photo/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 16:45:00 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50736Injured WWE NXT Superstar Tommaso Ciampa continues to train for his ring return. There’s no word yet on when Ciampa will be back in the ring after undergoing neck fusion surgery in March, but he recently returned to light training and appears to be progressing. Ciampa took to Twitter this

There’s no word yet on when Ciampa will be back in the ring after undergoing neck fusion surgery in March, but he recently returned to light training and appears to be progressing. Ciampa took to Twitter this week and said he misses the NXT Title, and he misses sports entertaining on the black and yellow brand.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/tommaso-ciampa-misses-goldie-update-on-his-training-photo/feed/0AEW Signs Dean Malenko To Multi-Year Deal As Senior Producer and Coachhttps://lordsofpain.net/aew-signs-dean-malenko-to-multi-year-deal-as-senior-producer-and-coach/
https://lordsofpain.net/aew-signs-dean-malenko-to-multi-year-deal-as-senior-producer-and-coach/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 16:27:37 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50886All Elite Wrestling issued the following press release announcing the signing of Dean Malenko as a senior producer and coach. Malenko was a former multi-time WCW and WWE cruiserweight (light-heavyweight) champion, and was the #1 ranked wrestler from Pro-Wrestling Illustrated in 1997. Check it out below. Globally Renowned Producer &

]]>All Elite Wrestling issued the following press release announcing the signing of Dean Malenko as a senior producer and coach. Malenko was a former multi-time WCW and WWE cruiserweight (light-heavyweight) champion, and was the #1 ranked wrestler from Pro-Wrestling Illustrated in 1997. Check it out below.

Globally Renowned Producer & Coach Dean Malenko Joins AEW

— AEW Signs Malenko to Multi-Year Deal as Senior Producer / Coach —

Las Vegas, NV (May 24, 2019) – AEW today announced a multi-year deal with world-renowned coach, producer and wrestler Dean Malenko. Effective immediately, the former No. 1-ranked wrestler in the PWI (Pro Wrestling Illustrated) 500 will take on the role as Senior Producer / Coach.

Malenko, who spent the past 18 years producing and coaching some of the biggest starts in wrestling, is a second-generation wrestler trained by his father, the acclaimed Boris Malenko. Malenko’s impact will be immediate as he joins AEW this weekend at DOUBLE OR NOTHING, the highly-anticipated event on Saturday, May 25, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“Dean Malenko has been a massive force behind some of today’s biggest wrestling stars,” said Cody Rhodes, EVP of AEW. “He’s never stopped being a major talent who was part of the ECW revolution as well as a fixture in the cruiserweight movement on Nitro. He’s kept an open mind to our world from Lucha Libre to Japanese pro-wrestling. He’s the perfect fit for our sports- centric mentality, and his experience will be invaluable for our team. Welcome Coach!”

“It’s not often you get an opportunity late in your career to be a part of building something from the ground floor,” said Dean Malenko. “The freedom to be able to contribute uninhibited will only lend itself to foster creativity and produce an outstanding product. I’m excited about what the future holds for AEW, and I can’t wait to be a part of the journey.”

All Elite Wrestling AEW is a new professional wrestling promotion headlined by members of The Elite (The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Cody and Brandi Rhodes, and Hangman Page) and Chris Jericho. For the first time in many years, AEW is offering an alternative to mainstream wrestling, with a growing roster of world-class male and female wrestlers who are poised to bring new spirit, freshness and energy to the industry. The inaugural event under the AEW banner is DOUBLE OR NOTHING on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, followed by FYTER FEST on June 29 in Daytona Beach, followed by FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN on July 13 in Jacksonville. For more info, check out @AEWrestling (Twitter), @AllEliteWrestling (Instagram), /AllEliteWrestling (FB), AllEliteWrestling (YouTube), and additionally, AllEliteWrestling.com.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/aew-signs-dean-malenko-to-multi-year-deal-as-senior-producer-and-coach/feed/24Cody Rhodes Clarifies His Comments Made About Bayley At Starrcast: “She’s Awesome.”https://lordsofpain.net/cody-rhodes-clarifies-his-comments-made-about-bayley-at-starrcast-shes-awesome/
https://lordsofpain.net/cody-rhodes-clarifies-his-comments-made-about-bayley-at-starrcast-shes-awesome/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 15:51:31 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50884During his Starrcast panel with the Young Bucks, AEW VP Cody Rhodes was asked about the growing women’s division within the promotion. Rhodes would respond by praising Kylie Rae and Britt Baker (AEW signees) but would then make a comment about that seemed to be a shot at the WWE SmackDown

]]>During his Starrcast panel with the Young Bucks, AEW VP Cody Rhodes was asked about the growing women’s division within the promotion. Rhodes would respond by praising Kylie Rae and Britt Baker (AEW signees) but would then make a comment about that seemed to be a shot at the WWE SmackDown women’s champion Bayley.

Somebody was sent to Chicago to interview Kylie and, man, what a ball of emotion. That’s what we want. It’s someone passionate, and it’s not like wacky inflatable tube men pretending to be nice.

When Rhodes was questioned online about his unnecessary shot at the Hugger, he clarified that he thinks Bayley is awesome, and that his response was merely poking fun at wacky inflatable tube-men.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/cody-rhodes-clarifies-his-comments-made-about-bayley-at-starrcast-shes-awesome/feed/28Ring Of Honor Releases 10 Questions With Former WWE Star PJ Blackhttps://lordsofpain.net/ring-of-honor-releases-10-questions-with-former-wwe-star-pj-black/
https://lordsofpain.net/ring-of-honor-releases-10-questions-with-former-wwe-star-pj-black/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 15:40:17 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50881Ring of Honor released a 10-question interview with current star PJ Black. Check out “The Darewolf’s” responses below, which include his favorite wrestlers growing up, the advice his father gave him before entering the business, what he would have wanted to do besides wrestling, and more! 1. If you hadn’t

]]>Ring of Honor released a 10-question interview with current star PJ Black. Check out “The Darewolf’s” responses below, which include his favorite wrestlers growing up, the advice his father gave him before entering the business, what he would have wanted to do besides wrestling, and more!

1. If you hadn’t gone into pro wrestling, what would you be doing for a living?

I have a master’s degree in sports science and nutrition, so probably a holistic sports doctor. Or more likely a cult leader. Or maybe an extreme athlete sponsored by NASA. Or maybe all of the above, who knows?

2. What advice did your father give you about the wrestling business when you decided to follow in his footsteps and pursue it as a career?

Never bang the Divas.

3. Other than your father, who were your favorite wrestlers growing up?

5. What’s something that’s popular that you just don’t see the appeal of?

Kardashians.

6. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Too many to list. But top of that list is baking cakes. I used to be a chef for years.

7. We know you’re very into nutrition. What can you tell us about your diet?

As a nutritionist, my ongoing research in this field has been a great journey. It’s my passion. But in the last year, I’ve really done some research on insulin and fasting. I combine intermittent fasting with the ketogenic diet. I also do prolonged fasts once a month and super-long fasts — 72 hours – once a year. Fasting is for longevity and anti-aging. Keto diet is very high fats — 75 percent from fats, 20 percent protein, 5 percent carbs — and the brain power you get from that is what attracted me most to this. The fact that it makes you drop crazy amounts of body fat is just a bonus. If your body runs on ketones it’s like running on rocket fuel. As opposed to running on glycogen (carbs) as a first choice. Very powerful.

For more info, go to my website fitness blog to get a better understanding of this. I’m busy writing a book with easy recipes on this topic that have literally changed my life.

8. You’ve done things such as jump out of airplanes, base-jumping, motorcycle stunts. Is there anything out there that’s so extreme that you won’t attempt it?

Have kids. That’s way too extreme for me.

9. Is there any adrenaline-rush activity you want to do that you haven’t done yet?

I have a list, actually. But I’ll need sponsors because I’m going to need a lot of gadgets and a gargantuan crew to pull it off. Working on it though, so watch this space!

10. You’ve admitted that you came into ROH with the wrong attitude and a willingness to take shortcuts. What would you say to any fans reading this who may be skeptical about your recent change of heart?

I’ve learned some valuable lessons in my time here. I think it’s an evolving process and it’s still something I’m working on daily. I’ve spent some time with monks, gurus, clairvoyants and spiritual leaders but still haven’t really found myself yet. My whole life, good and bad, has unfolded in front of people, so I try to make better choices now. The universe is my guide now.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/ring-of-honor-releases-10-questions-with-former-wwe-star-pj-black/feed/9Ric Flair Gives Update On His Recovery, Thanks His Wife For Never Leaving His Sidehttps://lordsofpain.net/ric-flair-gives-update-on-his-recovery-thanks-his-wife-for-never-leaving-his-side/
https://lordsofpain.net/ric-flair-gives-update-on-his-recovery-thanks-his-wife-for-never-leaving-his-side/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 15:33:57 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50879The Nature Boy Ric Flair took to Twitter earlier this morning to give an update on his recovery, as well as a special shout-out to his wife, Wendy Barlow, for never leaving his side. Flair claims he is getting better everyday and hopes that Barlow never gets tired of taking

]]>The Nature Boy Ric Flair took to Twitter earlier this morning to give an update on his recovery, as well as a special shout-out to his wife, Wendy Barlow, for never leaving his side. Flair claims he is getting better everyday and hopes that Barlow never gets tired of taking care of him.

On The Mend, Getting Better Every Day!!! Thank God For Wonderous Wendy Never Leaving My Side. I Hope She Never Gets Tired Of Taking Care Of The Naitch! It’s A Lot!

Check out the 16-time champ’s Tweet below.

On The Mend, Getting Better Every Day!!! Thank God For Wonderous Wendy Never Leaving My Side. I Hope She Never Gets Tired Of Taking Care Of The Naitch! It’s A Lot! pic.twitter.com/6QYpDXVaLo

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/ric-flair-gives-update-on-his-recovery-thanks-his-wife-for-never-leaving-his-side/feed/0Update On Sasha Banks WWE Statushttps://lordsofpain.net/update-on-sasha-banks-wwe-status/
https://lordsofpain.net/update-on-sasha-banks-wwe-status/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 15:19:07 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50875According to PW Insider, former multi-time champion Sasha Banks, who has been noticeably absent from television since WrestleMania, was spotted in the New York City area this week on behalf of WWE. It is being reported that Banks is potentially working on material for the next WWE video game. The speculation

]]>According to PW Insider, former multi-time champion Sasha Banks, who has been noticeably absent from television since WrestleMania, was spotted in the New York City area this week on behalf of WWE. It is being reported that Banks is potentially working on material for the next WWE video game.

The speculation on Banks is that she was extremely unhappy after losing the women’s tag titles along with partner Bayley after advocating for the division to take the belts seriously. As she told Sky Sports prior to Mania:

It felt like the whole of last year we were asking, like we would be knocking on the door of Vince’s office every week. Me and Bayley would go up to him and some weeks he’d say no and some weeks he’d say yes and then bam, it’s here. So that just proves that you should never give up on your dreams. If you’re annoying enough you can make things happen and that’s probably what happened, he just got annoyed with us.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/update-on-sasha-banks-wwe-status/feed/23Preview For Tonight’s Episode Of IMPACT Wrestling: Tag Titles On The Linehttps://lordsofpain.net/preview-for-tonights-episode-of-impact-wrestling-tag-titles-on-the-line/
https://lordsofpain.net/preview-for-tonights-episode-of-impact-wrestling-tag-titles-on-the-line/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 15:11:29 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50873Below is tonight’s card for IMPACT Wrestling’s weekly television episodic, which is available on the Pursuit Network and Twitch TV. Taya Valkyrie versus Madison Rayne for the Knockouts championship Sami Callihan versus Fallah Bah LAX versus the North for the IMPACT tag team championship Tommy Dreamer versus RVD

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/preview-for-tonights-episode-of-impact-wrestling-tag-titles-on-the-line/feed/0Cody Rhodes Takes Shot At 24/7 Championship, Says He Felt Bad For Mick Foleyhttps://lordsofpain.net/cody-rhodes-takes-shot-at-24-7-championship-says-he-felt-bad-for-mick-foley/
https://lordsofpain.net/cody-rhodes-takes-shot-at-24-7-championship-says-he-felt-bad-for-mick-foley/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 15:03:54 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50869AEW VP Cody Rhodes took a shot at the WWE at his recent Starrcast panel with the Young Bucks, where the American Nightmare criticized the new 24/7 championship that was unveiled by Mick Foley last Monday. Rhodes admits that he felt bad for Foley before poking fun at the belt’s

]]>AEW VP Cody Rhodes took a shot at the WWE at his recent Starrcast panel with the Young Bucks, where the American Nightmare criticized the new 24/7 championship that was unveiled by Mick Foley last Monday. Rhodes admits that he felt bad for Foley before poking fun at the belt’s poor design. The Young Bucks would jump in to claim that the titles in AEW will actually look good.

CODY RHODES: Let’s be fair. We all love Mick Foley. Everyone loves Mick Foley right? (Crowd cheers). What a bad…I felt so bad. He’s standing out there. He’s a living legend. What the f**k was he holding? Like no thought. No thought went into that. Like what is it? It’s 24/7. So what do you put on it? 24/7. Like no thought!

MATT JACKSON: And you know what…here’s another thing…our titles are gonna look good.

Watch footage of Rhodes’ statements below. (Special thanks to John Ledesma for sharing.)

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/cody-rhodes-takes-shot-at-24-7-championship-says-he-felt-bad-for-mick-foley/feed/15Rey Mysterio Gives Update On Shoulder Injuryhttps://lordsofpain.net/rey-mysterio-gives-update-on-shoulder-injury/
https://lordsofpain.net/rey-mysterio-gives-update-on-shoulder-injury/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 14:54:49 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50867New WWE United States champion Rey Mysterio released a video message on his Instagram to give an update on his shoulder injury suffered at the hands of Samoa Joe following their Money in the Bank title match. Mysterio reveals that he has a separated AC joint, and that he’s been having

]]>New WWE United States champion Rey Mysterio released a video message on his Instagram to give an update on his shoulder injury suffered at the hands of Samoa Joe following their Money in the Bank title match. Mysterio reveals that he has a separated AC joint, and that he’s been having a difficult time lifting his arm. He also brings up the controversial finish to the matchup, will he claims will be addressed at a later time.

So after Sunday’s Money In The Bank match against Samoa Joe which—there’s still some issues that need to be cleared up after that 1,2,3 pin, but due to the result at the ending of the match I separated a little bit of my AC joint, and we’re doing some PRP sessions here at the lab. Hopefully, this will improve my range of motion, which has been really bad. I got two uranage’s from Samoa Joe. Landed on my left shoulder, put all the weight on it. I’ve been having a hard time lifting up my arm.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/rey-mysterio-gives-update-on-shoulder-injury/feed/1Sir Sam’s Court: The Questions for AEW’s EVPs.https://lordsofpain.net/sir-sir-sams-court-the-questions-for-aews-evps/
https://lordsofpain.net/sir-sir-sams-court-the-questions-for-aews-evps/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 14:44:51 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50858This weekend, All Elite Wrestling launches its first ever pay per view Double or Nothing. With a prime time TV deal inked with TNT in America and ITV in the UK, even the doubters have to admit AEW is poised to be a game changer in the global wrestling scene.

]]>This weekend, All Elite Wrestling launches its first ever pay per view Double or Nothing. With a prime time TV deal inked with TNT in America and ITV in the UK, even the doubters have to admit AEW is poised to be a game changer in the global wrestling scene. However despite the billionaire backing and unprecedented TV deals the whole proposition remains a huge gamble.

So much of its potential success relies on the four wrestlers who have also been named Executive Vice Presidents of the company, Cody (nee Rhodes), Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, Matt & Nick Jackson, the men who dreamt up AEW and combined with the Kahn family to make it a reality.

However they have a massive mountain to climb, so heading into Double of Nothing this Sunday here are where they shine but here are the questions they need to answer.

Cody

In May 2016 Cody Rhodes made a bet on himself. Years before he would go all in and then double or nothing on himself and a group of likeminded wrestlers he made a bet that he could be more than the ‘part’ the WWE management had consigned him to. He bet he could break the glass ceiling the WWE had placed above him and his career.

He wasn’t the first wrestler to go for it, far from it, pro wrestling’s recent history is littered with WWE castoffs striking out on their own. Some have quickly fallen into obscurity, some have managed to revitalise their career enough that they catch their former employers eye but none have reached the heights of Rhodes.

Three years on from that bet, after travelling the world and having the greatest year of his career creatively and in the ring in 2018, the son of the son of a plumber is at the very tip of the spear of All Elite Wrestling. Not only is he being given the role as the public face of the company but he is set to become the heart of the budding promotions main event scene, the center that the AEW world revolves around.

AEW has a lot of exciting prospects up and down the card from their extremely athletic tag team division headed by The Young Bucks, to their blockbuster women’s division, to main event scene of Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho and whoever else might show up at Double or Nothing. However what Cody represents is the emotional heart of the show. Just as he did at All In where he wrestled Nick Aldis for his Father’s old NWA title or at the start of 2018 during the excellent ‘Bullet Club is fine’ storyline, Cody will be the story teller and character that that rest of the roster can bump off.

At Double or Nothing his blood feud with his brother is the emotional center of the event. It is an old-school story of two brothers and the unspoken resentment that can build up in family. These are two men that are bound together by blood but need to beat each other until their differences are settled. More long term it seems like Cody is already at odds with AEW’s marquee signing Chris Jericho.

However the questions remain, how can Cody balance the emotion and story that comes with his in ring role and also the out of ring responsibilities that being the steady public face of this company bring?

Secondly, this is a promotion that is built on the The Elite’s promise to ‘change the world’ but how can a man so steeped in the tradition of pro wrestling in America be the tip of the spear for the company that wants to revolutionise it all?

Kenny Omega

In the documentary Omegaman: The Kenny Omega Story, Kenny Omega’s Double of Nothing opponent Chris Jericho said, “If Elvis was alive today and was a wrestler, he might be Kenny Omega.” That it a big claims, a claim that the man nicknamed the ‘Best Bout Machine’ has certainly done everything he can to justify.

More than anyone else in the world over the last three years, Kenny Omega has drawn fans to Japanese wrestling. A Canadian who moved to Japan in the late 00s and eventually became a Japanese citizen, through the force of his athleticism and drive to push his vision for wrestling as far as it could go, Omega drew wrestling fans who had previously only watched American wrestling across the pacific to Japan. His matches meshed the hard hitting and uber-athletic Japanese style with some more western cinematic flourishes and resulted in record profits and viewing numbers for his promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling.

He has now been hand picked to be ‘the ace’ of AEW, will likely be the first champion of the company and his in ring style will undoubtedly become the signature main event style for AEW.

However, while the ‘Elvis’ or pro wrestling has indeed brought western eyes to eastern wrestling, he has never done these things in America on prime time TV. There is a big difference between creating interest in a few big shows a year where it is a guarantee that the main event wrestlers will leave everything on the canvas and building stories, characters and matches in a week to week show. Some of the smaller American NJPW shows he appeared on did not perform as well as the promotion had hoped, leaving NJPW with empty seats despite pushing Omega as their Western Ace.

Furthermore Omega’s style outside the ring can be charitably described as eccentric but perhaps more realistically as odd. How this translates in a relatable way to prime time TV is a legitimate question to ask. While you could say he can simply let his matches do the talking, as the top guy in the company he needs to be able to create a genuine emotional connection with the fans beyond the simple admiration for his athletic feats.

Finally, Omega’s style of wrestling places incredible strain on the body. He spent a large amount of time on the sideline last year even while champion and as the face of AEW he will need to pace himself so he doesn’t wind up spending even more time icing his wounds.

Matt & Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks

The Jackson brothers are the masterminds behind the Young Bucks brand. It is a brand that the pair built up from scratch over many years, outside any of the major promotional machines in the wrestling world.

What these two have done with merchandise and the cult of personality they have driven has created a way for indy wrestlers to not just survive but thrive economically. Wrestlers like Joey Ryan and Joey Janella are able to make a full time living outside of any mainstream wrestling organisations because of the road the Young Bucks and their branding machine have paved.

The buzz their cheeky shtick has created even got the WWE’s attention, with Vince sending them cease and desist letters for their usage of the ‘Too Sweet’ gesture the WWE has copyrighted. It was a move the Young Bucks ingeniously turned into one of their most successful t-shirts ever and Cease & Desist is even now a custom song on their Youtube show.

In the ring too they have perhaps embodied the indy ‘more is more’ sensibility as much as any set of wrestlers this decade. The Young Bucks don’t just have a Superkick each, they have a Superkick Party, they don’t just do a Tombstone Piledriver for their finisher, they do a Springboard 450 Splash off the ropes into a Tombstone Piledriver called the Meltzer Driver for their finisher. That is not to sell them short, they have won genuine acclaim for their more serious matches and the stories they have created through their Youtube series Being The Elite but it is undeniable that their style is not without its detractors.

However given that so much of their charm relies on parody of wrestling tropes and a myriad of inside jokes in front of die hard fans who are equally in on the bits, it remains to be seen how will their style translate to a serious sports show. How will their style be accepted by an audience that not only hasn’t seen them before but is not overly familiar with what they are sending up?

And the big question for all all the EVPs is how do they remain neutral when booking the very shows they will be starring in and drawing paychecks from? The success of the promotion could rely on them answering the question, how does AEW curtail the creativity of these men when their individual vision works to the detriment of the company as a whole? The history of wrestling promotions is littered with wrestlers who booked themselves at the expense of all others.

The wrestling world right now needs these four men to fire. I am not asking these question because I want AEW to fail, I am not asking these question because I want to highlight the EVPs flaws, I am asking these questions because I want AEW to succeed. These men are creative dynamos who live, breathe and love pro wrestling. I have seen them tell stories that made me shout for joy and stories that made me cry. I have seen all four struggle, fight and triumph and I want to see many more triumphs staring Sunday. And while they may have thousands of wrestling fans on their side, they have hundreds of thousands more that they need to win over.

That’s all from me today LOP. How are you feeling heading into Double of Nothing? Let me know in the comments below, on Twitter @Sir_Samuel or you can even write about it yourself on the LOP Columns Forum. It is where every columnist on this site started and will make you both a better writer and a more engaged wrestling fan.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/sir-sir-sams-court-the-questions-for-aews-evps/feed/2Shinsuke Nakamura Will Challenge For The Universal Championship At WWE Live Event In Singaporehttps://lordsofpain.net/shinsuke-nakamura-will-challenge-for-the-universal-championship-at-wwe-live-event-in-singapore/
https://lordsofpain.net/shinsuke-nakamura-will-challenge-for-the-universal-championship-at-wwe-live-event-in-singapore/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 14:42:46 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50856WWE issued the following press release locally to announce that SmackDown star and former Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura will challenge Universal champion Seth Rollins at the June 27th live event in Singapore. Check it out below. WWE LIVE Returns To Singapore With A Star-Studded Line-up. Join us at WWE

]]>WWE issued the following press release locally to announce that SmackDown star and former Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura will challenge Universal champion Seth Rollins at the June 27th live event in Singapore. Check it out below.

WWE LIVE Returns To Singapore With A Star-Studded Line-up.

Join us at WWE LIVE SINGAPORE on 27 June 2019 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium for an unforgettable night of high-octane action that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

We get a quick break before the match, with tweets from ROH personnel about this being the 400th Episode of ROH TV. We’re back and the crowd is chanting for PCO as we get the bell. PCO starts us off with Jay and tells Jay to hit him as he does his monster thing. Love it. They run the ropes and PCO absorbs a chop and it has no effect. More PCO chants. They run the ropes again and Jay is able to get a basement dropkick and a series of cartwheel dropkicks, and PCO keeps getting up. Triangle dropkick dumps PCO outside, Jay looks to dive and PCO screams for him to do it and Jay stops, which lets Marty get a cheap shot from behind. Tag to Marty but Jay gets a tag to Rush. Rush says he wants Brody. They run the ropes as Kenny King (still “blinded”) joins commentary. Rush and Marty cant land a move and Marty tags in Brody. Tag to Cobb. Tackles move no one, but Cobb seems to get the advantage, they run the ropes like juniors and Cobb hits a great dropkick! Tag to Jay but Brody takes both down with a running crossbody, and Brody gets a running rana on Jay. Jay dumpes Brody and looks to dive but Marty gets a shot, and Jay now hits the dive on Marty, then dives on Brody but gets caught and hoisted into a stalling suplex, which leaves Jay open to eat an apron superkick by Marty before getting dropped on the floor as we go to BREAK. We’re back and Jay tries to suplex Brody but cant quite, drops behind and hits a cutter instead. Tags to Marty and Rush, and Rush comes in hot, gets Brody seated in the corner and gets the fakeout kick and Tranquilo. Marty in and goes for the fingers, Rush counters but Marty gets Just Kidding and a low enziguri.

Chickenwing Crossface is called for, but Rush fires off a headbutt and tags Cobb who floors Cobb and hits a big German on both Brody and PCO. Marty flies out of the corner but gets caught in a release belly to belly. Big running corner Euro connects, Cobb follows with the Samoan Drop, kip up and standing moonsault, covers but Brody kicks out at 2. Brody and Marty look to double team but Cobb reverses and LIFTS BOTH BRODY AND MARTY and drops them in a suplex. PCO in and throttles Cobb, Cobb throttles PCO, they trade and PCO dumps Cobb and VE is all in the ring. Tope con giro by BRODY KING! Assistaed cannonball onto the opponents by PCO follows! “PCO” chants again. Cobb sent back in, VE gets a double team German suplex and Brody takes out Jay and Rush at ringside as Marty gets 2 on Cobb. “This is Awesome” chants. 619/cannonball combo on Cobb by Marty and Brody but it only gets 2. “Marty” chants. Tag to PCO. Superkick by Cobb connects, Rush takes out VE and Jay hits Hail to the King on PCO, but PCO POPS UP. Rush with a basement dropkick, but PCO IS STILL ALIVE! HE’S NOT HUMAN! Rush follows with a belly to belly into the corner on PCO, Jay climbs and hits another Hail to the King, covers but Marty breaks it up at 2. Marty hits a powerbomb on Rush and gets a double team senton with Brody on Rush, Jay gets the Lethal Injection on Marty but gets caught by Brody into a torture rack Blue Thunder Bomb and PCO flies off the top with the moonsault! Cover, and PCO PINS JAY LETHAL!!!

This was a really strong opening match for the 400th episode, with PCO picking up a big win for the team by getting the fall on the franchise of ROH. This was an all action outing, but was also very well laid out and kept the audience engaged from jump and allowing everyone a great chance to shine. It shows why 6-Man Tag matches can be SO MUCH FUN. Really well done match.

VIDEO: Flip Gordon

We get a package recapping Flip Gordon’s knee giving out and now being in line for an ROH Title Shot, which he is getting tonight against Taven.

We get more tweets and responses from fans now about the 400th episode of ROH.

RECAP: King/Lethal During the Break

After the match we just saw, Kenny King attacks Jay Lethal on the ramp! HE CAN SEE! ITS A MIRACLE! King chokes out Jay with his can before being removed.

RECAP: Soldiers of Savagery

We get footage of the debuting Soldiers of Savagery taking out Lifeblood, leaving both Bully Ray and Shane Taylor confused as to why they seemed to be helping them.

VIDEO PACKAGE: Taven/Flip for the ROH Title

We see how we got to tonights main event.

Ring of Honor World ChampionshipFLIP GORDON vs MATT TAVEN (c)

We get more tweets before the match. Split crowd. We get a Code of Honor, which is interesting from Taven, and we get the bell. John Woo connects early from Flip, who goes right after Taven. Big monkey flip by Flip (ha), Taven blocks the next one and dumps Flip to the floor, and TK teases some interference. Flip back in and evades a Taven knee and dumps Taven, and connects with a suicide dive. Back inside but TK tries to interfere, Flip evades but Taven gets a shot in that dumps Flip again and he crashes into the barricade. Taven slams Flip on the outside on top of one of the ROH barricade signs, and then sends Flip hard into the ringpost. Back inside and Taven stays ahead of Flip who is favoring the knee, but Flip hits a nice PK and standing moonsault for 2. Taven bails but evades Flip’s dive, Flip’s knee is hurting and Taven dumps Flip again, but misses the wrecking ball dropkick and Flip hits a superkick but Taven gets a BIG hiptoss into the barricade as we go to BREAK. We’re back and Taven is targeting the bad knee. Dragon screw by Taven and he keeps things slow and keeps Flip grounded in focusing on the knee, and Flip rolls outside where TK gets some shots in and rolls Flip back inside. Taven maintains control and keeps on the knee. Nice enziguri and Blue Thunder by Taven gets 2, but he transitions immediately into the half crab, but Flip is able to make the ropes.

Flip fires back from the ground but eats a boot by Taven. Spring spear by Flip connects and both are down. Shots traded, Flip (sort of) gets a reverse Alabama Slam into the buckles, and hits an inverted Unprettier and covers but only gets 2 as we go to BREAK. We’re back as the crowd is chanting “This is Awesome”. Flip climbs, Taven cuts him off, they fight in the corner and Taven is able to get a big superplex off the top but Flip gets a surprise cradle for 2, then fires back with a Pele. Taven goes right back to the knee to kill the momentum but Flip counters a Taven spring into a Russian Legsweep off the ropes, hits a low superkick and follows with the FALCON ARROW! Cover, but TAVEN IS OUT AT 2! NO ONE KICKS OUT OF THE FALCON ARROW! Flip looks for a firemans but Taven counters, spits in Flips face, hits a powerbomb and follows with Just The Tip… Of The Knee and covers for 2. Climax is countered and Flip gets the F5-TKO, climbs the corner for the 450 but we get Vinny’s red balloons, which distracts Flip long enough for Taven to crotch Flip, and he follows with a rope hung Climax that hits HARD. Cover, and thats the 3 for Taven to retain.

This was a nice TV main event, even if it didnt quite get to that next gear for me as a ROH Title match. Taven is super smooth and confident as champ, though, and Flip told a good story with having to fight through the injured knee and is a great fight-from-underneath babyface. Strong work all around.

JAY’S THOUGHTS:

On the one hand, both matches were VERY good. Flip definitely is showing that he will be hanging more fully in the title picture soon, and Taven notches a defense on his belt to further his championship reign. And the 6-Man Title match was SUPER entertaining, and made even more interesting with PCO picking up the fall against Jay Lethal. However, for the 400th episode of ROH TV… I dont necessarily see what made it special. Two title matches? I mean, sure, but that in and of itself does not a big milestone make. The TV presence (especially given the consistent wonkiness with the taping and airing schedule) is EASILY the weak point of ROH, and I just wish someone would do something – ANYTHING – to address it. Le Sigh. But, doesnt take away from the talent on display here, as everyone delivered good work from top to bottom.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/ring-of-honor-tv-report-episode-400-aired-on-fite-5-20-19/feed/0NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 26 Day 7 Report | Aired 5/22/19https://lordsofpain.net/njpw-best-of-the-super-juniors-26-day-7-report-aired-5-22-19/
https://lordsofpain.net/njpw-best-of-the-super-juniors-26-day-7-report-aired-5-22-19/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 04:02:04 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50775New Japan Pro Wrestling presents BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 26 Day 7 – Both Blocks Aired 5/22/19 Korakuen Hall Kevin Kelly, Chris Charlton and Juice Robinson on commentary. TAKA MICHINOKU vs TAIJI ISHIMORI We get the bell and they feel each other out to start. Eye poke by TAKA

We get the bell and they feel each other out to start. Eye poke by TAKA who looks for Just Facelock early, Taiji fires back but TAKA goes back to the submission attempt. Taiji makes the ropes but TAKA holds on as long as he can. TAKA works the neck, hits a corner knee and a running knee to the face, and locks in a shades-of-ZSJ submission. Taiji with his corner evasion, TAKA evades Bombs Away and hits a spring spin heel kick for 2 and goes for Just Facelock again, with arms trapped, and transitions again into a very ZSJ stretch. Nice handspring enziguri from Taiji, Bloody Cross is blocked, they trade strikes and TAKA lands a thrust kick for 2. The Driver is reversed into a DDT, Taiji snaps off Bloody Cross and covers for the quick WIN.

A quick match that keeps Taiji dominant in his block, despite good aggression from TAKA. This was a smart way of keeping Taiji moving while also giving him some rest of his neck. Good booking there.

REN NARITA vs BANDIDO

Bandido is out with Silver King’s mask as a show of respect (RIP). We get a Code of Honor to begin, but Bandido strikes first. They run the ropes, nice amateur firemans carrys by Narita but Bandido kicks him away out of the corner. Pop up flapjack by Bandido gets 2. Chants for Bandido. Nice running basement dropkick by Bandido gets another 2. Narita catches Bandido in a body slam and drops Bandido with a tackle, they each look for suplexes but Narita slips behind and tosses Bandido with an overhead throw, covers but gets 2. The bridging belly to belly is countered, apron kick from Bandido but Narita looks for the suplex off the apron, Bandido blocks and they both get on the apron. Shots traded and Narita gets a release belly to belly onto the apron and Bandido is dumped. Narita looks for a pescado but Bandido catches it and transitions into a buckle bomb. The ref starts counting both out on the floor. Bandido back in and Narita barely makes it back. GREAT flurry from Bandido but Narita gets the knees up to block a standing shooting star and rolls Bandido up for a close 2. Backslide by Narita gets another 2. Lariat by Bandido puts Narita down for 2 and the crowd is on fire. West Knee connects, 21-Plex follows and thats the 3.

For a match so short this was pretty fucking great as a sprint, with Bandido showing again just how good he is. But Narita also showed a TON against Bandido here – its clear why NJPW has faith in Narita and included him in the tournament this year. GREAT work as the underdog fighting with real fire.

JONATHAN GRESHAM vs TITAN

We get a Code of Honor to begin. Gresham gets the arm, they trade control, Gresham is just ridiculously smooth and they get a standoff. Titan grounds Gresham and spreads the legs, they get an interesting double headstand with the legs tied together and slap each other, covers by Titan get 2 counts and Gresham bridges out of the nearfalls brilliantly. Armdrags traded, quick covers and another standoff. Nice even-match story being told. Another handshake but Titan strikes out of it. Nice cover by Titan gets 2, fires off a chop, Gresham fires back and they look to trade. Titan grounds Gresham in a stretch, chop and a cover gets 1. Nice exchange corner to corner and quick work ends in Titan hitting a nice spin kick to the head, and Titan gets a Romero Special. Gresham frees his hands and escapes, rolls Titan through and gets a kick to the arm and a Mistica to put Titan down. Gresham gets the wrist and they trade shots to the shoulder, Gresham keeps on the arm but Titan with a rollup for 2. Titan gets Gresham on the apron and hits a kick to the head but Gresham uses the arm to take Titan down and climbs, Titan cuts him off and climbs with him, they fight on top of the corner but Titan gutwrench drops Gresham on the top turnbuckle. Cover, but only 2. Rollup by Gresham gets 2, one by Titan gets 2, they work fast trading rollups with Gresham getting another 2. Mistica by Gresham with a leg trap cover gets 2, but Gresham looks for the Octopus. Titan tries to walk to the ropes, but Gresham catches both arms and pulls Titan to the ground and wrenches the arm while spreading the leg and Titan has no choice but to TAP.

Another quick and fun match to start the day, and VERY happy to see Gresham notch another tourney win because the dude is just MAGIC to watch in the ring. People talk about his technical side and rightly so, but its his speed and smoothness that really elevates that work to a whole other level. I cannot get enough of Gresham’s in-ring storytelling.

Respect shown by Gresham after the match.

YOH vs ROCKY ROMERO

The student vs the teacher/coach. We get a 3K salute to begin respectful, and the crowd chants for Roppongi. They feel each other out at the top and Rocky pulls an Okada rope break, but Yoh steps right to his face. They work quick and standoff. Snapmare by Rocky, they run the ropes and Rocky blocks a dragon screw, they stay ahead of each other until Yoh gets a dropkick to the knee, and puts a target on it. Yoh keeps the pressure on Rocky and works over the knee. Rocky evades a dragon screw and looks for the cross armbreaker but Yoh fights quickly to the ropes, and Rocky begins to work over Yoh’s arm. Old school knee drop to the arm by Rocky connects but he hurts his own knee on the way down. Forever Clotheslines by Rocky but the knee is hurting and Yoh can counter, but Rocky hits another move to the arm. Yoh gets draped over the top rope and Rocky lays in kicks, climbs but misses the dropkick to the back, Yoh catches Rocky’s leg and gets a dragon screw over the top rope.

Yoh throws Rocky back in fast and climbs, landing a missile dropkick to the knee. Figure Four is countered by Rocky into a cradle for 2, Rocky looks to fight back but Yoh lands a dragon screw that pulls Rocky off the top rope and looks for the Calf Crusher. BEAUTIFUL transition by Rocky into a cross armbreaker, but Yoh makes the ropes again. They trade shots, Rocky gets the rewind kick and a jumping knee, follows with a clothesline and a running Shiranui. Cover, but only 2. Rocky fires up, chants for Rocky, Shiranui is blocked and Yoh gets Helms Street for 2. Dragon suplex by Yoh is blocked but a German connects, nice bridge but only 2 for Yoh. Another dragon suplex attempt but Rocky gets a rollup for 2, Yoh with a bridging roll for 2 and Rocky goes right back to the cross armbreaker, Yoh stacks him up and gets a 2 count. BIG slap by Rocky but Yoh reverses a running lariat into the Calf Crusher again and ROCKY TAPS!

This was a nice student/teacher matchup, with each taking on a body part and seeing who could get the tap first most of the time, with Yoh picking up a big win by tapping out his mentor. Yoh is destined for big things soon, but Rocky continues to be one of the stars of the tournament for me just because of his sheer work and storytelling.

TIGER MASK IV vs DRAGON LEE

Code of Honor starts it. Tiger gets the arm and Lee gets the ropes. Lee grounds Tiger and works the leg, Tiger transitions to an armbar and they trade on the mat and get a standoff. Tackle by Tiger drops Lee but he pops up, looks for a running rana but Tiger just DROPS him hard with a powerbomb, Lee bails but Tiger climbs and takes Lee out with a crossbody to the floor. The ref starts counting Lee out, he rolls back in and Tiger hits a crossbody but Lee rolls through for a cover and 2. Tiger shows aggression but Lee stays with him before getting caught in a tilt a whirl backbreaker. Lee gets set up top in the corner, Tiger climbs but Lee counters and they trade shots sitting up top, Tiger evades a double stomp but puts himself into a tree of woe and Lee gets a running dropkick. Hesitation dropkick by Lee connects. Lee with a butterfly backbreaker and basement dropkick, cover but only 2. Desnucadora is countered and Tiger gets a tombstone and lands the Tiger Driver, covers but only gets 2. Tiger suplex is countered but Tiger gets a cover for 2 and transitions into a seated sleeper. Transition to a fujiwara variation but Lee gets the ropes. Tiger suplex is blocked again, superkick by Lee and he gets Tiger in an STF, and Tiger gets the ropes to break. Nice exchange leads to a big knee strike by Lee, cover for 2 and Lee uncovers the knee and lands another sharp knee strike. Desnucadora follows, cover by Lee and thats the WIN.

Nice fire from both here, with Tiger showing some aggressiveness that we dont always see from him. Nice short and to the point showing from Lee as well as he notches another win. Those knee strikes are stiff as hell and I’m here for it.

Nice show of respect between the two after the match.

DOUKI vs BUSHI

DOUKI attacks before the bell because OF COURSE HE DOES. BUSHI fires back with a running rana that dumps DOUKI and follows with an over the top rana on the floor. Back inside and BUSHI gets the t-shirt choke, and is looking fired up. DOUKI dumps BUSHI and sends him into the corner post. The action spills deep into the crowd and DOUKI keeps on BUSHI, sending him face-first into the “West” sign on the wall of the arena. The ref begins the double count as they head back to the ring. Running double stomp by DOUKI lands, cover but only 2. BUSHI comes back with a rana off the middle but DOUKI gets a suplex and sits on BUSHI to cover, gets 2 and transitions into the double wrist-clutch foot choke, and BUSHI makes the ropes to break but DOUKI holds on and shoves the ref down for threatening the DQ. The slingshot DDT is blocked by BUSHI, they trade shots but DOUKI levels BUSHI with a lariat and covers for 2. Suplex De La Luna is countered into a rollup for 2, rewind kick by BUSHI connects and he follows with the apron DDT on DOUKI. Fisherman neckbreaker by BUSHI gets 2, Codebreaker connects next and BUSHI lines up DOUKI, lands MX and covers and thats the 3.

BUSHI defeats DOUKI by pinfall via MXJAY’S RATING: 2.5 out of 5

A good showing from BUSHI and a decent if a little flat showing by DOUKI, and BUSHI notches 2 points. I dont mind DOUKI on the whole as I think he’s playing his character as its meant to be, but its not necessarily interesting in his portrayal either. BUSHI showed more fire and specificity here than I’ve seen in a while… I’d like to see this BUSHI show up more often in general.

YOSHINOBU KANEMARU vs SHO

YK attacks Sho before the bell because OF COURSE HE DOES. They run the ropes and Sho is able to fire back with a dropkick. Sho gets YK on the apron, sits him down and hits a basement running dropkick, then gets an apron PK with a THUD. YK keeps his distance but Sho goes after him, but YK resorts to dirty tactics and sends Sho into the crowd, and they head deep up the arena seating. Sho blocks a suplex in the aisle and clotheslines YK down, looks for a bomb or piledriver but YK counters so Sho lays in a kick. YK reverses a whip and sends Sho into a wall and then gets a snap suplex in the audience aisle. YK now heads back to the ring and Sho is going to be counted out, Sho looks to run but YK pushes a Young Lion into Sho and then scurries back inside and gets a countout WIN!

Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeats Sho by countoutJAY’S RATING: NR

I dont feel like there was enough here at the end of the day to rate, but I’m actually fine with this – YK gets on the board, and the way the countout was achieved was fun and different, with the Lion shoved into Sho to block his return momentum. And Sho doesnt have to lose any face action-wise while YK gets on the board.

ROBBIE EAGLES vs RYUSUKE TAGUCHI

Chants for Taguchi. This could be fun. They trade base counterholds to start, Taguchi with a fun headstand to escape a headscissors and applies a headlock. Taguchi does his rope running shtick, Eagles looks for the dropkick but Taguchi is a step ahead. Robbie on the apron but Taguchi blocks a kick, Eagles evades a hip attack and gets a 619 to the legs and hits a spring dropkick to the knee, covers but only gets 2 and keeps on the knee. Taguchi is sent into the corner and Robbie keeps the pressure on, but Taguchi catches him in a big Blue Thunder Bomb and Eagles bails. Spring pescado wipes out Eagles on the floor, back inside and Taguchi lands a spring hip attack and covers for 2. 3 Amigos are attempted, Taguchi gets two but Eagles tries a block, fails and Taguchi gets the third for 2. Gourdbuster by Taguchi connects, he starts channeling Nakamura, lines up Eagles who intervenes and hits the Shiranui off the ropes and covers but only gets 2. Back to the knee from Eagles but Taguchi gets a rollup for 2 and goes right for the ankle. Eagles escapes, Dodon is attempted but Eagles counters into the Ron Miller Special. Chants for Taguchi who makes the ropes. Double corner knees and seated double knees both connect hard from Eagles, bridging cover but Taguchi is out at 2. Eagles looks to fly but Taguchi evades the 450 and goes back to the ankie lock and gets low with it, then pulls Eagles back from the ropes but Eagles pops up and hits Turbo Backpack, covers but only gets 2! Nice kick series from Eagles but Taguchi gets a Gamengiri and hits Dodon’s Throne, but Eagles kicks out at 2! Taguchi is fired up, looks for Dodon, Eagles fights it off and gets a nice cover out of nowhere for the flash pin!

Another nice showing from both Taguchi and Eagles. I am so entertained by Taguchi this tournament, but Eagles is poised to be a breakout star of this year, whether he can take his block or not. Just the sheer ring work and attitude of this guy have been SHINING through, and I just find myself always wanting to see more. And a victory over a crafty vet like Taguchi is a nice win for his belt, creating a fun pseudo-upset in that outing. Well done.

SHINGO TAKAGI vs MARTY SCURLL

The stylistic difference here is going to be VERY interesting to me. Decent love for Marty in the crowd. Strong tie up to begin with Shingo showing some power advantage, as well as some hard explosiveness. Knuckle lock, Marty gets the advantage early but Shingo powers right up. Nice mat counter work from Marty but misses the arm stomp and Shingo runs through Marty with a tackle. Marty with a back elbow knockdown to drop Shingo who bails, and Marty follows up with the apron superkick, then gets the arm stomp on the apron to Shingo. Back inside and Marty hits a low dropkick, gets arm control and works the arm and fingers. Chop to the THROAT by Marty (that was fucking HIGH) sends Shingo back, and unleashes a combo in the corner and Shingo drops down. Marty now slaps Shingo who fires up and just EXPLODES on Marty and ends with a punch right to the face! Dang. Love for both Shingo and Marty, and a tornado DDT by Marty connects. Black Plague is countered and Shingo gets the stiff right and a short lariat to drop Marty. Tossing suplex by Shingo is followed by a sliding lariat, cover but only 2. Half nelson suplex dumps Shingo on his head and into a corner, Marty keeps on him and sets him up top in the corner for the superplex, Shingo fights it off but Marty keeps comingand hoists Shingo over into it. Cover, but only 2.

Marty seems to call for a Razors Edge but Shingo drops weight to block, Marty looks to build that heavyweight strength but gets backdropped. They collide with lariats, Marty hits a thudding one but Shingo fires up. Shingo gets one but Marty comes back with Just Kidding, a hand stomp, they get a nice sequence of shots with Marty landing a kneeling superkick and both are down. Shots traded hard, hard series from Shingo who looks for Pumping Bomber but Brody Lee trips Shingo up and distracts the ref allowing Marty to hit an umbrella shot and a running lariat of his own (WHAT A VILLAIN!). Cover, but only 2. Still chants for both. Chickenwing is blocked, Marty uses the ref to block and then shoves Shingo into the ref, Brody King now in the ring and hits a Black Hole Slam. Marty gets the ref and hits a folding powerbomb, covers but Shingo is out at 2. Black Plague attempted again but again the ref gets crushed in the reversal. Brody in again but Shingo fights him off and Brody levels Marty as Shingo takes out Brody with a Pumping Bomber. Marty catches a rollup off the ropes for 2 and keeps on Shingo, Shingo looks for Noshigami but doesnt quite get all of it, but follows with Pumping Bomber for 2. Last of the Dragon leads to the 3 count.

Shingo Takagi defeats Marty Scurll by pinfall via Last of the DragonJAY’S RATING: 3.75 out of 5

This was a very good, high action showing from both. Not sure the Brody stuff was necessary, but I do love Marty being a Villain, so it didnt take too much away for me overall. Shingo continues to look FUCKING INCREDIBLE, and I really hope NJPW sees Shingo as a long-term investment, because he’s outstanding on so many levels. Good work all around.

After the match Shingo destroys the umbrella.

EL PHANTASMO vs WILL OSPREAY

Will strikes first with a John Woo dropkick that dumps ELP, who then gets sent into the audience chairs and Will goes BALLISTIC on ELP, playing to their history together and Will’s support of ELP during his early/face years. Back inside but ELP bails again, so Will hits a suicide dive. Chants for Will. Apron PK is caught by ELP who dumps Will on the apron hard. ELP now pulls out an icepack from under the ring for a break, then swings the icepack mockingly until Will fires back and hits a flipping Bombs Away off the apron to take ELP down. ELP escapes into the crowd and Will pursues as they fight through the audience, ELP looks to escape but Will wont let him, looks for a bomb on the stairs but ELP counters. Moonsault off the arena entrance wipes out Will in the aisle. ELP now kicks Will down the stairs toward the ring, spits water in his face and lands a superkick (and then also channels a bit of Sandman before hitting a spring elbow to Will at ringside from the crowd). Back inside and ELP mounts Will, raining down shots. Will fires back with big chops, ELP comes back with his own, grabs the wrist and starts walking the ropes, walks halfway round and gets a rana. Cover by ELP but only 2.

Chinlock grounds Will, who fights up but ELP gets a dropkick for 2. ELP keeps the pressure on and slows things back down. Kicks by ELP fire up Will, they trade and Will gets the handspring enziguri. Top rope 619 by Will connects but he misses Pip Pip Cheerio, but makes it up with a hesitation dropkick in the corner and a running shooting star. Cover but only 2. ELP counters the reverse Bloody Sunday, nice evasion and ELP catches Will in a spring crossbody and lionsault and covers but only gets 2. The cutthroat tornado neckbreaker is blocked, Will with a hard chop and looks for Stormbreaker but ELP blocks and nails a nice superkick, and Will answers back with the backflip enziguri and ELP dumps outside. Will climbs and wipes out ELP with a corkscrew moonsault from the top to the floor. Back inside and Will hits Pip Pip Cheerio and covers, but only gets 2. Robinson Special connects, Will looks for the Os-Cutter but ELP catches it and gets a backslide for 2, looks for CR2, Will counters and gets a hook kick and looks for Stormbreaker but ELP gets a rollup but only gets 2. Nice exchange. BME lands PERFECTLY from ELP but still only 2.

ELP looks for CR2 again but Will drops weight to block and is able to get under ELP, ELP fights back but Will connects hard with a head kick and both are down. Chants for Will. Cheeky Nandos is countered, but Will comes back with a SICK ESSEX DESTROYER DDT, and ELP heads to the ropes. Cheeky Nandos connects, and Will hits a series of Nandos, sits ELP on his shoulders and then climbs to the 2nd rope, ELP fights back but Will gets a SUPER Iconoclasm and covers but only gets 2. Will fires up, hits a hook kick and readys the elbow but ELP dodges teh Hidden Blade, looks for a low blow but Will catches it and lays in kicks. ELP now fires up, Will hits Kawada kicks, Buzzsaw and reverse Buzzsaw but holds ELP up with his foot, looks for Os-Cutter but ELP dumps Will onto the apron. They trade shots on the apron, Will looks for an apron Stormbreaker but ELP blocks, Will gets a look in his eye and looks for a Spanish Fly off the apron. ELP holds the ropes to block and LEVELS Will with a forearm shot! Dang. CR2 on the apron is blocked, but ELP gets a piledriver on the apron instead and both tumble to the floor. The ref starts counting both out, ELP rolls in first and Will is holding his neck on the floor, finally starts to rise and barely makes it back in and ELP comes off the top with a big splash to the back! Cover, but only 2.

ELP looks for a Rainmaker but Will counters and hits a BIG Liger Bomb, covers but still can only get 2. Will fires up again for the Os-Cutter but ELP catches the spring into the tornado neckbreaker, cover but still 2 again! ELP puts his hands of the ref for the count, and Red Shoes shoves ELP right back, ducks a shot and Will catches ELP in the standing Spanish Fly, then climbs and hits an AMAZING Shooting Star Press, covers but STILL only 2! Stormbreaker attempted again but ELP catches the ref with his legs and pushes him away, drops down and gets the LOW BLOW! Rollup, but still only 2! ELP comes right back and gets the cutthroat neckbreaker, cover but WILL STAYS ALIVE! CR2 connects this time, cover by ELP and he gets the 3 count on Will Ospreay!

This was a GREAT match, and a statement made in having ELP go over Will in his very first BOSJ appearance which adds even more legitimacy to his presence as a new BC Junior competitor. Will was fucking on point as usual, but this was also easily my favorite ELP showing in the tournament (and honestly overall) so far. It just felt like he was connecting the dots so much more quickly and crisply, care was still taken without feeling like it had to be slowed down, and if ELP can keep his offense at that pace consistently, then he really does have a shit ton to offer here. His shit-eating heel is played extremely well, and this showed the execution to back it up in a way I had been craving up to this point. Really strong work, and a great win to give ELP over a heavy and perennial tourney favorite in Will Ospreay.

After the match ELP grabs a mic. The crowd cheers for ELP and he says OH, NOW you want to cheer for me. He tells anyone who is wearing an LIJ, NJPW or CHAOS hat, take it off and buy a BC hat. Because he promises that BOSJ is coming to the Headbang Club.

JAY’S THOUGHTS:

A strong FULL day of action from both blocks, with some very well done short and quick matches to keep things moving and a really great main event to cap things off. Definitely check out the Ospreay/ELP match, especially to see more of what ELP is capable of when he lets loose. Also, SHINGO MF’N TAKAGI. The standings after Day 7:

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/nxt-live-event-results-from-bartow-florida-5-23-19/feed/0TNT Promotes AEW “Double Or Nothing” On Tonight’s NBA Playoff Gamehttps://lordsofpain.net/tnt-promotes-aew-double-or-nothing-on-tonights-nba-playoff-game/
https://lordsofpain.net/tnt-promotes-aew-double-or-nothing-on-tonights-nba-playoff-game/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 02:45:10 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50766During tonight’s game six of the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference playoffs, which is broadcast on TNT, commentator Marv Albert gave a shout-out promotion to All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing event, taking place this Saturday from the MGM Grand. Watch below. (Special thanks to Chris Montano for providing the

]]>During tonight’s game six of the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference playoffs, which is broadcast on TNT, commentator Marv Albert gave a shout-out promotion to All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing event, taking place this Saturday from the MGM Grand. Watch below. (Special thanks to Chris Montano for providing the clip)

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/tnt-promotes-aew-double-or-nothing-on-tonights-nba-playoff-game/feed/16MCW Pro Wrestling Announces A Return Appearance From Lio Rushhttps://lordsofpain.net/mcw-pro-wrestling-announces-a-return-appearance-from-lio-rush/
https://lordsofpain.net/mcw-pro-wrestling-announces-a-return-appearance-from-lio-rush/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 02:09:42 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50759MCW Pro Wrestling has announced via social media the return of WWE star Lio Rush at the June 1st event in Joppa, Maryland. This will be Rush’s first appearance for MCW, which is where he trained, since signing with the WWE. The visit is to benefit MCW wrestler The Bruiser,

]]>MCW Pro Wrestling has announced via social media the return of WWE star Lio Rush at the June 1st event in Joppa, Maryland. This will be Rush’s first appearance for MCW, which is where he trained, since signing with the WWE. The visit is to benefit MCW wrestler The Bruiser, who is battling leukemia. PW Insiderreports that Rush is headed back to NXT following his main roster stint with Bobby Lashley. See MCW’s tweet below.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/mcw-pro-wrestling-announces-a-return-appearance-from-lio-rush/feed/4Imp’s LOP Radio Adventure LIVE – MITB Aftermath & AEW Double or Nothinghttps://lordsofpain.net/imps-lop-radio-adventure-live-mitb-aftermath-aew-double-or-nothing/
https://lordsofpain.net/imps-lop-radio-adventure-live-mitb-aftermath-aew-double-or-nothing/#respondFri, 24 May 2019 02:03:59 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50756Follow @TheDamnImplicat LordsofPain.net ‘Imp’s Adventures’ columnist & radio host Matt Maher (aka The Implications) jovially recaps the past week of the wrestling world! This week Imp is joined by Burn to talk about Money In The Bank, touch on ‘some’ of WWE’s current issues and excitedly preview AEW’s first PPV,

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/imps-lop-radio-adventure-live-mitb-aftermath-aew-double-or-nothing/feed/0Bandido To Challenge For The ROH Television Championship At “Best In The World”https://lordsofpain.net/bandido-to-challenge-for-the-roh-television-championship-at-best-in-the-world/
https://lordsofpain.net/bandido-to-challenge-for-the-roh-television-championship-at-best-in-the-world/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 01:15:36 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50752Ring of Honor issued the following press release announcing that Bandido will challenge Shane Taylor for the ROH Television championship at the June 28th pay per view in Baltimore entitled Best In The World. Check it out below. Bandido had future champion written all over him from the second he

]]>Ring of Honor issued the following press release announcing that Bandido will challenge Shane Taylor for the ROH Television championship at the June 28th pay per view in Baltimore entitled Best In The World. Check it out below.

Bandido had future champion written all over him from the second he stepped foot in an ROH ring in January, and he will get his first opportunity to win gold in ROH when he challenges for the World Television Title at the Best in the World pay-per-view on June 28 at Baltimore’s UMBC Event Center.

Bandido, who is in Japan at the moment competing in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, will face current champion Shane Taylor or whoever is the champion at that time. The 24-year-old luchador earned the title shot by defeating Taylor on a recent episode of “Ring of Honor Wrestling.” That match actually took place prior to Taylor capturing the ROH World Television Title in a Four Corner Survival Match on May 9 at the War of the Worlds tour stop in Toronto.

In addition to his victory over Taylor, Bandido has defeated other established stars such as Silas Young, Rocky Romero, PJ Black, and fellow LifeBlood member Mark Haskins.

While Bandido’s arrival in ROH created a huge buzz and he immediately became one of the promotion’s most popular stars, Taylor has long been vocal about being overlooked by ROH officials and fans.

Taylor’s rise has been more gradual, but no one ever doubted how dangerous of a competitor the big man from the mean streets of East Cleveland is. Possessing a devastating right hand, a nasty attitude and a huge chip on his shoulder, Taylor has vowed to force everyone in ROH to call him “the baddest champion you’ve ever seen, boy!”

At first glance, Bandido versus Taylor appears to pit speed and agility against size and power, but Bandido is much stronger than his 5-foot-7, 183-pound frame would suggest, and Taylor is incredibly agile for a 356-pounder.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/bandido-to-challenge-for-the-roh-television-championship-at-best-in-the-world/feed/1Jim Cornette Comments On Shawn Michaels “Shoot” Kicking Vader In The Headhttps://lordsofpain.net/jim-cornette-comments-on-shawn-michaels-shoot-kicking-vader-in-the-head/
https://lordsofpain.net/jim-cornette-comments-on-shawn-michaels-shoot-kicking-vader-in-the-head/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 00:53:50 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50750Legendary wrestling manager and current MLW commentator Jim Cornette responded to a video on Twitter earlier today of an old matchup between Shawn Michaels and the late Leon White, better known as Big Van Vader. The clip shows Michaels shoot kicking Vader in the head after missing a spot, something

]]>Legendary wrestling manager and current MLW commentator Jim Cornette responded to a video on Twitter earlier today of an old matchup between Shawn Michaels and the late Leon White, better known as Big Van Vader. The clip shows Michaels shoot kicking Vader in the head after missing a spot, something that Cornette berates Michaels for, and recalls being one of many “prickish” actions that the Heartbreak Kid performed back in the day. Check out the clip, and Cornette’s comments below.

Of all the unprofessional, prickish things Michaels ever did, this stands out as one of the prickiest. https://t.co/amodPCkU3b

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/jim-cornette-comments-on-shawn-michaels-shoot-kicking-vader-in-the-head/feed/21Shane Helms Talks Working ALL IN, Says He Returned His Pay As A Thank Youhttps://lordsofpain.net/shane-helms-talks-working-all-in-says-he-returned-his-pay-as-a-thank-you/
https://lordsofpain.net/shane-helms-talks-working-all-in-says-he-returned-his-pay-as-a-thank-you/#commentsFri, 24 May 2019 00:00:00 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50746In a new interview with Fightful, “The Hurricane” Shane Helms talks about the part he played in last September’s All In event where the former WWE star appeared in the Over Budget Battle Royal, then hosted a live viewing party at Starrcast for the remainder of the card. Helms reveals that he returned the

]]>In a new interview with Fightful, “The Hurricane” Shane Helms talks about the part he played in last September’s All In event where the former WWE star appeared in the Over Budget Battle Royal, then hosted a live viewing party at Starrcast for the remainder of the card. Helms reveals that he returned the money he was paid to appear because he was so happy to be apart of the festivities.

It was Starrcast with All In, so I was booked for that as a part of Keepin’ It 100. Then they booked me for a live viewing party. Conrad loves when I host things and talk crazy and that stuff. Being if Ring of Honor with Cody, I said I’d be there if they needed me for anything. I said ‘I’m not looking for a payday, I like what you all are doing, I’ll contribute in any way I can.’ Cody was worried about insulting me by offering me something he thought was beneath me. I was like ‘Bro. No. Whatever you need, I’ll do.’ He paid me and I sent it back. I told him I was going to do that. It was my gift to them for doing what they were doing. It shined such a positive light on the business. It shows you what’s possible when you do things the right way.

Helms then details exactly how he traveled from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates to Schaumburg, Illinois in order to make the party in time.

We had to do the podcast, and the clock’s ticking. People don’t know, and I have to get there. I thought the building was next door. I didn’t know it was 15-20 miles down the road. I got there, got dressed, and what a great spot that was chokeslamming those guys. That little celebration was an ode to the Ultimate Warrior when he beat Honky Tonk Man. I’d just seen it on Instagram and it was in my head. The crowd bit so hard — maybe because I didn’t get it in the Royal Rumble. I actually punched myself in the face. I was trying to beat myself in the chest and hit myself in the face. Dave Herro is in the back waiting for me in the car, I get in my clothes. The party has already started, but the people are there and they popped, because they knew why I wasn’t there. I was late to my own party!

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/shane-helms-talks-working-all-in-says-he-returned-his-pay-as-a-thank-you/feed/6WWE Reschedules This Monday’s Smackdown Brand House Show From Salina, Kansas To October 26https://lordsofpain.net/wwe-reschedules-this-mondays-smackdown-brand-house-show-from-salina-kansas-to-october-26/
https://lordsofpain.net/wwe-reschedules-this-mondays-smackdown-brand-house-show-from-salina-kansas-to-october-26/#commentsThu, 23 May 2019 22:44:32 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50740WWE has rescheduled this Monday’s Smackdown brand house show from the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina, Kansas to Saturday, October 26. This will be the third Monday house show in a row that WWE has canceled or postponed since the wild card rule was created. Dave Meltzer noted in

]]>WWE has rescheduled this Monday’s Smackdown brand house show from the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina, Kansas to Saturday, October 26. This will be the third Monday house show in a row that WWE has canceled or postponed since the wild card rule was created. Dave Meltzer noted in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that these weekly cancellations will probably be a regular thing until their road schedule changes in October when Smackdown moves to Friday nights.

***UPDATED SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT*** WWE LIVE at TPEC is being rescheduled for Saturday, October 26th. We apologize for any inconvenience. All previously purchased tickets will be valid for this new show date. pic.twitter.com/4JNRvaqUpF

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/wwe-reschedules-this-mondays-smackdown-brand-house-show-from-salina-kansas-to-october-26/feed/5IMPACT Star Cleared To Return To Action Following MCL Injuryhttps://lordsofpain.net/impact-star-cleared-to-return-to-action-following-mcl-injury/
https://lordsofpain.net/impact-star-cleared-to-return-to-action-following-mcl-injury/#commentsThu, 23 May 2019 22:12:55 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50738LAX’s Santana announced via Twitter that he has been cleared to return to action following an MCL tear that he suffered at the May 5th IMPACT and House of Glory joint event Code Red, where Santana teamed with his partner Ortiz to face oVe and the New York Wrecking Krew.

]]>LAX’s Santana announced via Twitter that he has been cleared to return to action following an MCL tear that he suffered at the May 5th IMPACT and House of Glory joint event Code Red, where Santana teamed with his partner Ortiz to face oVe and the New York Wrecking Krew. He would later reveal his injury on Instagram, and apologized to all promotions that he had to cancel scheduled dates with.

IM CLEARED!!!

Thanks everyone for the positive vibes sent my way. It truly meant the world.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/impact-star-cleared-to-return-to-action-following-mcl-injury/feed/5Backstage News on Future WWE NXT Title Planshttps://lordsofpain.net/backstage-news-on-future-wwe-nxt-title-plans/
https://lordsofpain.net/backstage-news-on-future-wwe-nxt-title-plans/#commentsThu, 23 May 2019 21:43:14 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50733Matt Riddle will be moving into the WWE NXT Title chase soon, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. NXT Champion Johnny Gargano is currently scheduled to defend his title against Adam Cole at the “Takeover: XXV” event on June 1 from Bridgeport, CT. Riddle is next in line. Riddle is

]]>Matt Riddle will be moving into the WWE NXT Title chase soon, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

NXT Champion Johnny Gargano is currently scheduled to defend his title against Adam Cole at the “Takeover: XXV” event on June 1 from Bridgeport, CT. Riddle is next in line.

Riddle is scheduled to face the winner of Cole vs. Gargano at the “Takeover: Toronto II” event, which takes place during WWE SummerSlam weekend in August from the Scotiabank Arena. There’s no word yet on who will win the “Takeover: XXV” match, but Riddle recently started teaming with Gargano to battle Cole and The Undisputed Era.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/drew-mcintyre-on-joining-up-with-shane-mcmahon-bray-wyatt-wwe-playlist-episode-wwe-stock/feed/2USA Network Picks Up Stone Cold Reality Show “Straight Up Steve Austin” For Seven Episode Runhttps://lordsofpain.net/usa-network-picks-up-stone-cold-reality-show-straight-up-steve-austin-for-seven-episode-run/
https://lordsofpain.net/usa-network-picks-up-stone-cold-reality-show-straight-up-steve-austin-for-seven-episode-run/#commentsThu, 23 May 2019 20:19:58 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50729USA network issued the following press release announcing that the Stone Cold Steve Austin reality show entitled Straight Up Steve Austin has been picked up for a seven-episode run. Check it out below. Today, USA Network announced the pickup of Straight Up Steve Austin, a unique interview-based series hosted by retired WWE legend “Stone

]]>USA network issued the following press release announcing that the Stone Cold Steve Austin reality show entitled Straight Up Steve Austin has been picked up for a seven-episode run. Check it out below.

Today, USA Network announced the pickup of Straight Up Steve Austin, a unique interview-based series hosted by retired WWE legend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The series of seven half-hour episodes will air on USA on Mondays at 11/10c following WWE Monday Night Raw, beginning August 12!

In each episode, Austin and a celebrity guest swap stories about their lives and careers during one-of-a-kind custom-tailored adventures in different cities across America. In this unique interview format, there’s no studio, no couch and no cue cards — just a straight-up good time and some good old-fashioned American fun.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/usa-network-picks-up-stone-cold-reality-show-straight-up-steve-austin-for-seven-episode-run/feed/9Matt Hardy Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of His First WWE Appearancehttps://lordsofpain.net/matt-hardy-celebrates-the-25th-anniversary-of-his-first-wwe-appearance/
https://lordsofpain.net/matt-hardy-celebrates-the-25th-anniversary-of-his-first-wwe-appearance/#commentsThu, 23 May 2019 19:44:50 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50725WWE star and former SmackDown tag champion Matt Hardy took to Twitter earlier today to comment on his very first appearance in the WWE 25-years ago today. Hardy reveals that his “debut” was on a live episode of Raw against Nikolai Volkoff before questioning whether or not Vince McMahon will

]]>WWE star and former SmackDown tag champion Matt Hardy took to Twitter earlier today to comment on his very first appearance in the WWE 25-years ago today. Hardy reveals that his “debut” was on a live episode of Raw against Nikolai Volkoff before questioning whether or not Vince McMahon will give him a special celebration.

Today is the 25 year anniversary of my 1st appearance in a @WWE ring. I was 18 & on a LIVE episode of #RAW against Nikolai Volkoff. Jeff’s 20th year since signing a #WWE contract was commemorated.. Maybe @VinceMcMahon will surprise me with a 25 year celebration on #SDLive.

See Hardy’s Tweet below.

Today is the 25 year anniversary of my 1st appearance in a @WWE ring. I was 18 & on a LIVE episode of #RAW against Nikolai Volkoff.

]]>https://lordsofpain.net/matt-hardy-celebrates-the-25th-anniversary-of-his-first-wwe-appearance/feed/5Jay Lethal To Challenge For ROH World Championship At “Manhattan Mayhem”https://lordsofpain.net/jay-lethal-to-challenge-for-roh-world-championship-at-manhattan-mayhem/
https://lordsofpain.net/jay-lethal-to-challenge-for-roh-world-championship-at-manhattan-mayhem/#commentsThu, 23 May 2019 19:38:36 +0000https://lordsofpain.net/?p=50722Ring of Honor issued the following press release announcing that former multi-time champion Jay Lethal will challenge for the ROH World title at the July 20th taping in New York City entitled Manhattan Mayhem. This will be Lethal’s first attempt at regaining the gold since he lost it to Matt Taven

]]>Ring of Honor issued the following press release announcing that former multi-time champion Jay Lethal will challenge for the ROH World title at the July 20th taping in New York City entitled Manhattan Mayhem. This will be Lethal’s first attempt at regaining the gold since he lost it to Matt Taven at the G1 Supercard. Check it out below.

New York City has been the site of one of Jay Lethal’s greatest victories as well as one of his most deflating defeats. At the Manhattan Mayhem international television taping on July 20 at Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom, Lethal will be seeking his sweetest victory yet in the Big Apple.

On that night, Lethal will attempt to become just the second man to win the ROH World Title on three occasions when he faces current champion Matt Taven or whoever is the champion at that time. It will be Lethal’s first shot at regaining the title since losing it to Taven at Madison Square Garden, which is just minutes away from the Hammerstein Ballroom, in a Triple Threat Ladder Match at G1 Supercard on April 6 before a sellout crowd.

Lethal, who has held the ROH World Title for more combined days (707) than anyone, won the championship the first time at Best in the World in 2015 at Terminal 5 in New York City. By defeating then-ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe in a winner-take-all match, Lethal became the only man to hold the ROH World and ROH World Television titles simultaneously.

Leaving Manhattan Mayhem as a three-time world champion will be no easy task, especially if Taven is Lethal’s opponent. Three weeks before Taven won the title at G1 Supercard, the leader of The Kingdom went move-for-move with Lethal in a classic encounter that ended in a 60-minute draw at ROH’s 17th Anniversary pay-per-view.

Since winning the championship, Taven has successfully defended it against PCO, Flip Gordon and Mark Haskins. In those matches, Taven showed that he will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to retain his title — he even used an ax and a spike on PCO’s one good eye to achieve victory.